Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for a Dynamic Hosted Shopping Cart. According to one embodiment, a method comprises configuring a Dynamic Hosted Shopping Cart (DHSC) at a remote server based on communications with a buyer device and at least one seller's server that hosts one or more seller websites. The method also comprises embedding in or floating a widget above the one or more seller websites in connection with the DHSC. The method further comprises dynamically updating contents of the DHSC implemented by the widget according to communicated transaction information. In addition, the method comprises offering checkout across all enabled pages of the one or more seller websites.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for providing real-time, two-way transactional capabilities on the Web. Specifically, one embodiment of the present invention discloses a method for enabling object routing, the method comprising the steps of creating a virtual information store containing information entries and attributes associating each of the information entries and the attributes with an object identity, and assigning a unique network address to each of the object identities.

Abstract: A method and system for obtaining desired times from intended recipients of items is provided. The method provides each recipient with a plurality of time windows that overlap with one another in time from which the recipient may choose a time for delivery of an item and receives choices made by recipients from the plurality of overlapping windows. One aspect of the invention includes applying predetermined parameters to the time windows to determine which time windows to offer to the recipients as available times from which the recipient may choose a time for delivery. Such parameters may include, among others, which time windows have associated with them the least cost of service in making the delivery, whether the cost of delivering within a time window is less than a monetary threshold, and whether a maximum number of orders to be delivered within one time window has been reached.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to telecommunications, and in particular to systems and methods for routing and placing telephone calls. In one embodiment, a call manager system is configured to place a call to a pay-per-call service, or to cause such a call to be placed by a user computer terminal, in response to a user initiating a purchase transaction over a computer network. In addition, the call may include billing information, such as the user's phone number, which is provided to the pay-per-call service so that the user can be billed for the call in an appropriate amount.

Abstract: Articles such as compact discs are traded among a plurality of members who are registered in a common community. Each member has an account including a trading credit balance and a mailing address. A user interface is provided that allows a member to enter articles that the member owns and is willing to trade and articles that the member wants to own. The user interface also receives article trading instruction messages. An administration computer hosts the plurality of members and facilitates article trades among the members. The administration computer identifies matches between owned and wanted articles. For each identified match, an article trading instruction message is sent to the article owner requesting that the article owner mail the owned article to the mailing address of the member who wants to own the article.

Abstract: Various exemplary embodiments relate to a method and related data collection system including one or more of the following: receiving, at the data collection system, a first message from a DMS (Dealer Management System), the first message including a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) for the vehicle; determining a set of description data describing the vehicle using the VIN; constructing a second message including the VIN and the set of description data; transmitting the second message to the DMS; receiving, at the data collection system, a third message from the DMS, the third message including the set of description data and a set of sale information but not including the VIN; and transmitting the set of description data and the set of sale information for storage in a database.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to providing one or more recommended biological reagents in response to receiving a biological reagent order. An exemplary embodiment includes identifying biological reagents based on a biological reagent order that has been received. Characteristic data of the identified biological reagents may then be evaluated to identify a characteristic conflict among the identified biological reagents. Similarly, inventory data of the identified biological reagents may then be evaluated to identify an inventory conflict among the identified biological reagents. If a conflict, either characteristic or inventory, is identified, a recommendation for an alternative biological reagent may be provided that is free from conflict. Additionally, historical use data may be maintained and referenced to aid in identifying a biological reagent as either a potential biological reagent based on a suspected biological condition or as a substitute biological reagent.

Abstract: A safety stock amount calculation method includes calculating a probability Pb that a delivery time for a certain commodity required by a customer is shorter than its lead time L, calculating an average value LL of a difference between the lead time L and the customer's required delivery time when the lead time L exceeds the customer's required delivery time, correcting an inventory adjustment period N by using the average value LL, and calculating a safety stock amount SS by the equations SS=PB×k×(?{square root over ( )}N×F)×?, wherein ? is a standard deviation of demand for the commodity, N is a corrected inventory adjustment period, Pb is a probability, F is a shipment frequency, and k is a safety coefficient.

Abstract: A method performed by a computing system configured to synchronize a source bill of material with a target bill of material includes, in response to a determination by the physical computing system that a revision has been applied to a source node from a tree structure representing the source bill of material since a corresponding target node from a tree structure representing the target bill of material was last updated, calculating a change from the source node to the target node with the physical computing system, and updating, with the physical computing system, the target node with the revision if the calculated change matches a stored difference derived from a revision history associated with the source bill of material.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method, computer program product, and computing system for receiving a technical support inquiry from a third party concerning a technical issue associated with a multi-component product including a plurality of technical components. The technical components are produced by a plurality of entities. The technical issue is associated with one or more of the plurality of entities, thus defining one or more identified entities.

Abstract: A method and a system provide real-time payment fund settlement of a logistics company using a third-party payment platform, which signs a withholding agreement with the logistics company and a logistics agency and establishes separate payment accounts for the logistics company and the logistics agency. The logistics company sends a withholding instruction to the third-party payment platform upon receiving signature information and goods information sent by the courier after the buyer has made a payment and signed for the acceptance of the goods. After receiving the withholding instruction, the third-party payment platform verifies the withholding instruction based on the withholding agreement, and transfers a fund from the payment account of the logistics agency to the payment account of the logistics company. The disclosed method and system can greatly increase the speed of fund transfer and fund settlement between the logistics company and the logistics agency.

Abstract: A video conference server in a digital data network that includes at least one audio port and at least one video port, a memory unit, an audio processing unit, a video processing unit, a control unit that generates control signals, a memory device, an access program module and a content program module. The audio and video port connect to a client workstation via the digital data network. The client workstation has a video output and an audio output. The memory unit associates an audio channel and a video channel of the digital data network with a client workstation. The audio processing unit and video processing unit receive signals from the audio and video port and generate signals for transmission to the client workstation.

Abstract: Described herein is a search engine that can include a receiver component that receives a query from a user that pertains to a multimedia item and an output component that outputs multiple choices for receiving an instance of the multimedia item to a user. The multiple choices may include a first choice for receiving a first instance of the multimedia item for no charge, wherein the first instance of the multimedia item includes a digital rights management restriction. The multiple choices may also include a second choice for receiving a second instance of the multimedia item for a fee, wherein the second instance of the multimedia item is free of digital rights management restrictions. The search engine can further include a transmitter component that transmits one of the first multimedia item or the second multimedia item to the user.

Abstract: A budgetary control system limits revenue generating transactions that may be entered in an enterprise management system. When a new revenue posting is proposed to the system, various AVC rules are evaluated. The evaluation compares the revenue posting against predetermined budgetary limits. The AVC rules may address various nodes within a revenue postings data structure and within a revenue budget data structure and they may define a test relationship that must be maintained between them. If proposed revenue posting would violate the test relationship of an AVC rule, then the revenue posting may be rejected from the system depending upon the contents of a response field in the AVC rule. Some AVC rules mandate that a violation cause the proposed transaction to be blocked while others may generate a warning notification within the system but admit the new transaction despite the violation.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for tracking, monitoring, projecting and reporting billing information. One embodiment is related to a computer readable storage medium including a set of instructions that are executable by a processor, the set of instructions being operable to receive billing data from at least one billing process, analyze changes in the at least one billing process, monitor the at least one billing process for an occurrence of time-based events, reconcile unique identifiers within the billing data to verify data integrity, generate a billing report based on the changes, the time-based events and data integrity, and audit the billing report for format errors.

Abstract: A charging system includes a rating engine, a session control module, and a charging unit determination module. The session control module receives a request for service units, associated with a charging session, from a client or service element, and obtains one or more input parameters from the request for service units. The charging unit determination module obtains account data associated with the request for service units, determines at least one charging session related parameter based on the one or more input parameters and/or the account data, and pass the at least one charging session related parameter to the rating engine. The rating engine grants service units based on the at least one charging session related parameter, and forwards an indication of the granted service units to the session control module for return to the client or service element.

Abstract: A computationally implemented method includes, but is not limited to: associating one or more fees with one or more communiqués affiliated with one or more secret entities and addressed to a particular end user; and providing one or more billing statements that indicate the one or more fees without at least directly identifying the one or more secret entities, the providing of the one or more billing statements being in accordance with one or more conditional directives of the particular end user to conditionally obfuscate the one or more secret entities with respect to the one or more billing statements. In addition to the foregoing, other method aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.

Abstract: A system and method for providing, in real time via the Internet, the exchange of credit information pertaining to assessing credit worthiness of a business. The exchange is an electronic inquiry, delivery, or reporting of credit information from individuals or companies to be accessed via Internet by a user community. In a preferred embodiment, the system includes a web site that, by using a web browser, allows clients to assess credit worthiness by accessing credit information in real time from a business, or provide credit data about a business by entering credit data in a web browser-supported format. The data is encrypted using means for secure transmission, such as a web browser, and then sent to at least one web application executed by web server software. The web server software coordinates and displays the credit data and allows for easy access by the user community, through a web browser, and displayed in an easily read format.

Abstract: A system, associated methods, computer readable storage medium encoded with programming, and computer program product are disclosed for simultaneously collating information from available public, private, and government databases for provision to corrections facilities, authorized bond administrators, stakeholders, or the like for electronic transmission of secured and confirmed data to effectuate implementation of obligation on a property bond as security for court appearances for an accused.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for monitoring market transaction activity data to determine when a trading entity has exceeded an aggregated limit consisting of one or more trading sub-limits corresponding to one or more custodial prime brokers facilitating trading for the trading entity. The method includes collecting at a centralized hub real time data related to conditions of a trading market from one or more liquidity destinations trading at least one financial article of trade. Trading activity for a trading entity is determined. An aggregate trading limit is determined that is based on one or more trading sub-limits assigned by one or more prime brokers for that trading entity. It is determined when that trading activity exceeds the aggregate trading limit.

Abstract: A transaction management device of executing plural if-done-orders in parallel. An order information generation unit of the device generates plural order information groups each including a first order for placing one of a buy or sell orders at a first order price, a second order for placing the other of these orders at a second order price, and a stop loss order for placing the other of these orders at a stop loss order price. This unit acquires the upper limit price for transactions, the lower limit price for transactions, and the number of simultaneously generated order information groups, and calculates the first and second order prices in such a manner that the price difference between the first orders is constant, the price difference between the second orders is constant, and the price difference between the first and the second orders belonging to the same group is constant.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment comprises: (a) receiving electronic data describing a trading order; (b) selecting one or more first trading algorithms from a plurality of available stored algorithms for execution of the trading order; (c) commencing execution of the trading order via the one or more first trading algorithms; (d) evaluating quality of execution, during the execution, of the trading order via the one or more first trading algorithms; (e) comparing the evaluated quality of execution to a threshold of acceptability based on a prediction of future performance of execution of the trading order by the one or more first trading algorithms; and (f) if the evaluated quality of execution compares unfavorably to the threshold of acceptability, switching the execution of the trading order to one or more second trading algorithms, wherein the processor unit comprises one or more processors.

Abstract: As market conditions descend or ascend an axis of prices, the display of market information is repositioned, at a pre-determined rate if desired, around an item of interest. An item of interest may include the best bid price, the best ask price, the inside market, a moving average, a last traded price, a theoretical value, the result of an equation, or some other item of interest to the trader. According to the present embodiments, market information may be displayed in a region relative to an axis of prices, and when an event occurs, a repositioning signal is initialized causing the axis to be repositioned such that the item of interest is positioned at a pre-determined location in the region. The price axis can be repositioned at a fixed rate or at a dynamically variable rate.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a futures contract is listed on a futures trading exchange. The futures contract physically settles upon expiration into a reference swap. The reference swap is cleared by a clearing house so that the physical settlement requires that the holder of a position in the futures contract upon expiration takes a specified side of the reference swap against the clearing house. The reference swap may for example be a credit default index swap, a single-name credit default swap, an interest rate swap or a yield curve swap.

Abstract: A method and system for processing loan applications in a financial institution is provided. The method includes a step of receiving a first loan application from a first loan applicant. The first loan application includes personal information of the first loan applicant. Further, the method includes the step of determining a repayment score for the first loan applicant based on the personal information of the first loan applicant. The repayment score is calculated using a polynomial equation. The polynomial equation represents a relationship between personal information of a plurality of past loan applications and a plurality of past repayment scores. Furthermore, the method includes processing the first loan application based on a threshold set for repayment scores for a particular type of loan.

Abstract: A dual card, which facilitates payment for goods or services from either a credit account or a stored value account, operates on both an open network and a closed network. The dual card is a payment card that integrates the ability to provide credit privileges and stored value privileges to a cardholder of the dual card. The features, benefits, and advantages of a stored value card are integrated with the credit card aspects of the dual card. The benefits, features, and advantages of a credit card are integrated with a stored value card.

Abstract: An automated system for drop-off and pick-up for repair, return or exchange of tangible items including a secure drop-off/pick-up area for the items, a computer and software to manage the data for the system, and a user interface to facilitate automated notification for responsive communication between the user and the service provider to describe service or repair required, provide quotations, request and receive additional information and notify the customer on completion of the service and scheduled maintenance using automated voicemail recording, and/or text messaging through a cellular telephone, email, PDA or iPhone using a web based applet.

Abstract: The present invention provides an inexpensive system capable of charging up electronic money cards by using a credit card. A credit card 8 is an IC card, and a PIN is authenticated between a card terminal 3 and the credit card 8. The card terminal 3 transmits to a credit company server 4 an authentication result, amount information indicating an amount with which to charge up, and a credit card number of the credit card 8. After billing, the credit company server 4 transmits the amount information and the credit card number to an electronic money server 5. The electronic money server 5 identifies an electronic money card 9 based on the credit card number. The electronic money server 5 generates amount change information for adding the amount with which to charge up to “VALUE”, and transmits it to the card terminal 3. Based on the amount change information, the electronic money card 9 updates the amount of “VALUE” stored therein to an amount specified by the amount change information.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to systems and methods for processing a contactless card transaction. In one embodiment, a method for processing a contactless transaction card can be provided. The method can include receiving an input associated with a selection of at least one payment option. Further, the method can include based at least in part on the input, activating a contactless transaction card reader and initiating a corresponding transaction application program. In addition, the method can include receiving account information from the contactless transaction card via the contactless transaction card reader. Moreover, the method can include advancing a transaction counter associated with the contactless transaction card and a transaction counter associated with the corresponding transaction application program.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to systems and methods for processing payment transaction receipts. When an authorization request message for a transaction of a consumer is received, it is determined whether an account associated with the consumer's portable consumer device is enrolled in an electronic receipt program. If the account is enrolled, an electronic receipt for the transaction is sent to the consumer.

Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating payment using a payment card includes a computerized sales transaction device structured to determine a monetary amount for a sale, and a secure card activated terminal (CAT) device in electronic communication with the computerized sales transaction device. The computerized sales transaction device sends the monetary amount to the secure CAT device. The secure CAT device is structured to: (i) obtain sensitive payment card information from the card, (ii) automatically request in a secure, encrypted manner authorization for the sale using the monetary amount and the sensitive payment card information, (iii) receive in a secure, encrypted manner authorization approval for the sale, and (iv) in response to receiving the authorization approval, send purchase authorization approval information to the computerized sales transaction device. The computerized sales transaction device never receives the sensitive payment card information.

Abstract: Data and financial transactions are secured on a mobile electronics device, with three downloadable modules. A first module provides for the mobile electronics device and a network server to interactively register a cryptographic abstract of an object usually carried by the user. These objects represent physical passwords from which processing can derive characterizing information. A second module is invoked by a transaction and signals the mobile electronics device to collect a new sample of the physical password. A cryptographic abstract of it is distilled and compared to preregistered cryptographic abstracts. A third module is a key recovery process for use when the preregistered physical password sound or object is no longer available to the user.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for secure transaction management are provided. Embodiments include a method for providing secure transactions that include receiving an identifier of a financial account at a payment processor system. A token may be generated that is linked with the identifier of the financial account at the payment processor system. The identifier of the financial account and the token may be stored securely at the payment processor system. The token may be transmitted without the identifier of the financial account to at least a recipient system or a recipient device where the token replaces the identifier of the financial account.

Abstract: An ordering scheme is described, for example an ordering and payment scheme for mobile communication devices. The ordering scheme enables an Internet shop or another service provider to issue binding offers to a mobile communication device or the like and to receive an acceptance of the offer from the mobile device. The acceptance is encrypted using a private key of mobile device and the offer may be encrypted using a private key of the service provider. The service provider liaises with a payment broker and a charging system for controlling the transfer of funds from the user to the service provider. An identity management system may be provided to control access to the modules of the ordering scheme.

Abstract: A system and method for securing a Radio Frequency (RF) transaction using a RF identification device (RFID) transaction device is provided. The method includes a RFID transaction device including a random number generator for generating a random number. The random number may be used by an account issuer to verify the validity of a RFID transaction device or RFID reader communicating on the RF transactions network. The authorizing agent may receive the random number and compare the random number to a device validating code.

Abstract: There is provided a computer system for negotiating a sale. A computer system comprises a processor adapted to execute stored instructions and a memory device that stores instructions for execution by the processor. The memory device comprises computer-implemented code adapted to make an offer to sell in a round of a negotiation. The memory device also comprises computer-implemented code adapted to receive a counter-offer. The memory device additionally comprises computer-implemented code adapted to determine whether to accept the counter-offer based on a pre-determined target, a best alternative to a negotiated agreement (BATNA), and the round of the negotiation.

Abstract: An information recording method for providing a warranty basis in a computer system, includes obtaining a usage information when the computer system triggers a boot procedure, and recording a system information of the computer system and updating the usage information when the usage information indicates that the boot procedure is the first one boot procedure triggered by the computer system after the computer system is sold.

Abstract: A method, operable on a processing device, for assessment of skills of a user may include receiving, by the processing device, an error message reporting an error associated with the user. The method may also include determining, by the processing device, a categorization of the error. Determining the categorization of the error may include assigning one of a plurality of predetermined skill ratings to the user. Each predetermined skill rating may be associated with a predefined condition. The method may additionally include generating, by the processing device, a report for assessment of the skills of the user. The report may include an identification of the user, the error, identification of a system if a system associated error, identification of a product if a product associated error, the categorization of the error and the predetermined skill rating assigned to the user.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for generating emergency plans for a facility are provided. In embodiments, an emergency plan is generated for a designated area of a facility. An alert is received that includes an alert type. The alert type is identified and a plurality of emergency plans associated with the alert type are provided. The plurality of emergency plans includes a primary emergency plan and an alternate emergency plan. A determination is made whether any factors that affect the primary emergency plan are present. If no factors that affect the primary emergency plan are present, the primary emergency plan is displayed to a user. If factors that affect the primary emergency plan are present, the alternate emergency plan is displayed to the user.

Abstract: A transportation monitoring method is provided for monitoring the transportation process of a vehicle from shipment place to a destination. The method comprising: receiving a shipment information from the shipment place when the vehicle leaves the shipment place; receiving arrival information from the destination when the vehicle arrives to the destination; determining whether the arrival information of the vehicle is received at least one predetermined time; generating a notice to associated administrators of the at least one predetermined time if the arrival information of the vehicle is not received.

Abstract: A transmodal and logistics method, comprising generating at least one transportation route for shipping a shipment using one or more different transportation modes and at least two transportation providers, and calculating a cost rate associated with the at least one transportation route.

Abstract: Systems and methods are discussed for providing guidance for media, particularly online video, by searching or browsing for media content based on user selections and user information. Browsing results are diversified using one or more techniques to provide a range of interesting results.

Abstract: A business process master data vector for a business process of an organization can include master data coordinates corresponding to a plurality of business object node fields of a plurality of business objects involved in the business process. Values of the master data coordinates can indicate whether a corresponding business object node field is mandatory for successful execution of the business process. Master data instance vectors corresponding to the plurality of business objects can be evaluated such that a master data instance vector includes instance coordinates indicating whether a corresponding business object node field contains a master data value. The business process can be analyzed using the business process master data vector and/or the master data instance vectors. Related systems, processes, and articles of manufacture are also described.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatuses are described for calculating a performance bond amount for a portfolio including interest rate swaps. A risk calculation module (or risk processor) may assist in the calculation. In some examples, values, such as swap (DV01) dollar values and volatility values, and adjustments/factors, such as calendar charge adjustments and liquidity charge minimums, may be used to enhance the margin calculation. These values may be maintained and updated in various ways, including but not limited to, lookup tables, matrices, and other structures. The margin calculations may be used by an exchange or clearinghouse to request a portfolio holder to deposit additional funds towards a performance bond associated with the portfolio.

Abstract: An automated and interactive system that facilitates efficient capitalization/liquidation and monitoring of private and publicly-traded enterprises through a network-driven marketplace is disclosed. The system may be comprised of a dynamic process for enterprise characterization, a customizable computational engine that utilizes statistical reference information to quantify a multi-factor scoring value for each unique enterprise, a customizable system for investor-users to filter, rank, and screen enterprise prospects, a customizable system for monitoring the performance of enterprises, an integrated internal system for electronic communication between market participants, and an empirical feedback system that provides a dynamic knowledge base of statistical reference information for various computational components of the invention.

Abstract: Private equity fund valuation and due diligence analysis software that combines available information on private equity funds, the organizations and individuals managing these funds, the underlying deals for these funds and companies comparable to the deals for these funds and utilizes multivariate statistical regression or other possible analysis techniques to develop highly accurate approximate deal-level performance benchmarks, value driver analyses, fund-level performance forecasts and fund rating scores. These analyses allow investors to assess the attractiveness of an investment into a given private equity fund with a much greater level of detail.

Abstract: Systems and methods for optimizing a tax consequence of an asset according to various aspects of the present invention may comprise a user interface, a database linked to the user interface, and a display. The user interface may be configured to receive information associated with the asset and a desired outcome. The database may be linked to the user interface and configured to store the information associated with the asset. The asset comprises at least one tax lot, and each tax lot was purchased prior to the occurrence of the taxable event. The display may be configured to present which tax lot achieves the desired outcome based upon the sale information associated with the taxable event.

Abstract: Online charging systems (OCS) and methods are disclosed for correlating online charging requests for a session over an IMS network. The OCS stores online charging requests that are received from a network element serving the session in the IMS network. When a new online charging request is received from another network element, the OCS determines whether the new online charging request relates to the same session as any previously-stored online charging requests. If so, the OCS correlates the online charging requests for the session, and determines a new charging rate for the session based on correlated online charging requests and correlation charging rate rules that are stored in the OCS. The OCS then uses the new charging rate to grant new credit quotas for the session.

Abstract: The systems and methods described herein relate generally to the integration of a shipping label with a customs form to provide a single label having postage, addressing, customs and other information for international shipping. In one embodiment, a method for generating an international shipping a package comprises the steps of providing shipping information associated with the package, the information comprising address information of the origin, address information of the destination, postage information including a postage amount due to a post service and a customs form number unique within the post service; processing a shipping label having the shipping information displayed thereon; and affixing the shipping label to the package.

Abstract: A computerized method and system for monitoring at least one distributed energy generator, comprising: receiving utility bill information related to an existing utility of a customer, and measured energy information from the distributed energy generator of the customer; and generating a bill for measured energy from the distributed energy generator, the bill taking into account the utility bill information related to the existing utility.