US20040059638A1 - Systems and methods for bonding information and services - Google Patents

Abstract

A system assures the accuracy of information and the performance of services provided by an entity. The system receives a request from the entity to bond the information and services provided by the entity and evaluates the accuracy of the information and the performance of the services. The system bonds the information when the information is determined to be accurate and the services when performance of the services is assured.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION
• This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 based on U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/189,034, filed Mar. 14, 2000, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• A. Field of the Invention[0002]
• The present invention relates generally to surety systems and, more particularly, to systems and methods that bond information and services provided in a transaction.[0003]
• B. Description of Related Art[0004]
• Electronic commerce (“eCommerce”) has dramatically increased in recent years. In some conventional eCommerce systems, transactions occur over a network, such as the Internet, using protocols or mechanisms, such as the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (http://). A user may access a web site, or the like, of a server to seek out or research information, purchase or research goods and/or services, and communicate with other users, web sites, or services.[0005]
• In other conventional eCommerce systems, a growing number of transactions are performed across intranets and internets, such as the Internet, by protocols or mechanisms other than the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (http://). Such non-http-based transactions use a myriad of different protocols and languages to encode the information, including Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), File Transfer Protocol (FTP), Extensible Markup Language (XML) send and receive, Standard Generalized Markup Language (SGML), etc. Furthermore, transactions such as these use transport mechanisms with protocols other than, or built upon, Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), such as Internetwork Packet Exchange (IPX), Internet Protocol Security (IPSEC), Internet Protocol Version 6 (Ipv6), Secure Sockets Layer (SSL), etc. Also, these non-Web-based transactions can occur as a result of interconnections between systems through a common language specified by a metalanguage (e.g., specified by XML) or through direct binary communication between systems (e.g., via Distributed Component Object Model (DCOM), Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA), or other distributed object, procedural, or client-server architectures).[0006]
• Uncertainties exist, however, in almost any conventional eCommerce transaction, such as the uncertainty of whether certain services and information will be provided as promised. With the vast amount of services and information available on the Internet, for example, users have no way to determine whether services will be performed as promised or whether provided information is accurate and valid.[0007]
• As a result, a need exists for a mechanism to guarantee the performance of services and the accuracy and validity of information presented as part of an eCommerce transaction.[0008]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• Systems and methods consistent with the present invention address this need by providing to participating servers a mechanism for supplying a guarantee to their customers, under a surety bond issued by a bona fide, financially competent bonding institution (or “bonding agent”), that certain services will be provided and that information provided by the server is accurate and valid.[0009]
• In accordance with the purpose of the invention as embodied and broadly described herein, a system assures the accuracy of information and the performance of services. The system receives a request from an entity to bond the information and services corresponding to the entity and evaluates the accuracy of the information and the performance of the services. The system bonds the information when the information is determined to be accurate and the services when performance of the services is assured.[0010]
• In another implementation consistent with the present invention, a method assures the accuracy of information and the performance of services provided by an entity. The method includes receiving a request from the entity to bond the information and the services provided by the entity; receiving a warranty from the entity, the warranty indicating to the bonding agent that the information is accurate or that the service performance is guaranteed; and bonding the information based on the warranty when the warranty indicates that the information is accurate and the services based on the warranty when the warranty indicates that the service performance is guaranteed.[0011]
• In yet another implementation consistent with the present invention, a system guarantees the accuracy of a group of data and the performance of a series of services provided by an entity over a period of time. The system receives a request from the entity to bond the group of data and the series of services provided by the entity over the time period and analyzes the accuracy of the group of data and the performance of the series of services. The system bonds the group of data when the data is determined to be accurate and the series of services when performance of the series of services is assured.[0012]
• In a further implementation consistent with the present invention, a method guarantees the accuracy or validity of information provided by an entity. The method includes analyzing a request from the entity to bond information provided by the entity; determining whether the information is accurate or valid; and assigning a bond to the information when the information is determined to be accurate or valid. The bond identifies an amount of indemnity to be paid when the information is later found to be inaccurate or invalid.[0013]
• In another implementation consistent with the present invention, a method guarantees the performance of a service offered by an entity. The method includes analyzing a request from the entity to bond performance of the service offered by the entity; determining whether performance of the service is assured; and assigning a bond to the performance of the service when the performance of the service is determined to be assured. The bond identifies an amount of indemnity to be paid when the service is performed in a manner other than as offered.[0014]
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate an embodiment of the invention and, together with the description, explain the invention. In the drawings,[0015]
• FIG. 1 is a diagram of an exemplary system consistent with the present invention;[0016]
• FIG. 2 is a detailed diagram of an exemplary device that may incorporate the client, server, and/or bonding agent entities of FIG. 1;[0017]
• FIG. 3 is a flowchart of processing evaluating the accuracy and validity of information and/or services provided by a server;[0018]
• FIG. 4 is a flowchart of processing for bonding information that is warranted to be accurate and valid and/or services that are warranted to be performed as promised; and[0019]
• FIGS. 5A and 5B are flowcharts of processing for bonding information and/or services over a series of transactions.[0020]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• The following detailed description of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numbers in different drawings identify the same or similar elements. Also, the following detailed description does not limit the invention. Instead, the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims and equivalents.[0021]
• Systems and methods consistent with the present invention guarantee the accuracy and validity of information and guarantee that services will be performed as promised by providing an indemnity when the information turns out to be inaccurate or invalid or the services go unperformed or are performed in a manner other than as promised.[0022]
• Exemplary System[0023]
• An exemplary system consistent with the present invention includes various logical groupings of entities provided by one or more devices. An “entity” refers to a device, resource, data, or functionality that can be accessed by a user, program, device, or another entity, that can be computational, storage-related, communication-related, or related to providing access to another user. Examples of entities include software, such as application programs, threads, and processes; information, such as databases and files; objects as traditionally defined in the art, including, but not limited to, Component Object Model (COM), COM+, or Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA)-compliant objects, or other objects that do not necessarily comply with an over-arching object model; and hardware, such as computer devices and components.[0024]
• In an interaction between two entities within the exemplary system, the “client” entity requests information or services (directly or indirectly) from the “server” entity. The client and server entities may physically reside on a single computer or on multiple computers. In some instances, an entity may be both a client and a server entity. For example, in a business-to-business transaction, a first entity may request goods, services, and/or information from a second entity at one point, and provide goods, services, and/or information to the second entity at another point. In this case, the first and second entities may be considered both client and server entities.[0025]
• FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the exemplary system[0026]100 consistent with the present invention. The system100 includes aclient110 communicating with aserver120 and abonding agent130. Theclient110,server120, andbonding agent130 may be implemented as one or more devices and may communicate via any communications medium (e.g., by wired, wireless, or optical communication; via a network, such as the Internet; via a storage device; etc.).
• The[0027]client110 is an entity that can communicate with theserver120, such as a personal computer, a laptop, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a wireless telephone, some equivalent device, a thread or process running on one of these devices, or an object executable by one of these devices. Theserver120 may include any conventional server entity. Theserver120 provides goods, services, and/or information via an interface (e.g., a web site or the like) for use by users associated with entities, such asclient110. Asingle client110 andserver120 have been shown for simplicity. One skilled in the art would recognize that the system100 may include any number ofclients110 andservers120.
• The[0028]bonding agent130 is an entity, possibly associated with a bonding institution. Thebonding agent130 issues a surety bond to a user that provides a substantial indemnity to be paid to any user who receives inaccurate or invalid information or a breach of a duty to perform a service from a bonded server. The indemnity may be paid by the server that provides, or fails to provide, the information or service to the user.
• The amount of the indemnity may be pre-set for different categories of information or services. For example, the amount of the indemnity may vary for inaccurate financial information as compared to inaccurate entertainment information. The amount of indemnity may be set forth in support and explanatory material provided on the participating server in such a manner as to permit the server to promote the fact that the indemnity is of meaningful financial value. In such explanatory materials on the participating server, and as an element of the contract contained therein, the manner of establishing a claim by a user may be clearly set forth.[0029]
• In this implementation, the information provided by a[0030]server120 is guaranteed to be accurate and valid and the services provided by theserver120 are guaranteed to be performed as promised through a surety bond provided by thebonding agent130. In such an implementation, any information or service provided by theserver120 may be covered by a surety bond provided by thebonding agent130.
• The[0031]bonding agent130 ultimately defines the “bondable domain” (i.e., the types of information or services for which it will and will not issue a bond), though the assessment of whether information or services fall within the bondable domain may be performed by other entities. In one implementation consistent with the present invention, thebonding agent130 announces what the bondable domain includes and aserver120 may only ask questions regarding information or services within the bondable domain, if it wishes to protect the information or services. In another implementation, theserver120 predetermines what its bondable domain will be. The bondable domain of theserver120 will be the same as or a subset of the bondable domain of thebonding agent130. In yet another implementation, theserver120 determines whether information or services fall within the bondable domain on a transaction-by-transaction, client-by-client, on-the-fly basis, etc.
• FIG. 2 is an exemplary diagram of a[0032]device200 that may incorporateclient110,server120, and/orbonding agent130 in one implementation consistent with the present invention. One skilled in the art would recognize that other configurations are possible.
• The[0033]device200 includes a bus210, aprocessor220, asession memory230, apersistent memory240, aninput device250, anoutput device260, and acommunication interface270. The bus210 permits communication among the components of thedevice200. Theprocessor220 may include any type of conventional processor or microprocessor that interprets and executes instructions. Thesession memory230 may include a random access memory (RAM) or another dynamic storage device that stores information and instructions to be executed by theprocessor220, and/or a read only memory (ROM) or another type of static storage device that stores static information and instructions for use by theprocessor220. Thepersistent memory240 may include a hard disk, a floppy disk, a CD-ROM, a DVD-RAM, and/or some other type of magnetic or optical recording medium and its corresponding drive.
• The[0034]input device250 may include any conventional mechanism capable of inputting information into thedevice200, such as a keyboard, a mouse, a pen, voice recognition and/or biometric mechanisms, etc. Theoutput device260 may include any conventional mechanism capable of outputting information from thedevice200, including a display, a printer, a pair of speakers, etc. Thecommunication interface270 may include any transceiver-like mechanism that permits thedevice200 to communicate with other devices and/or systems.
• As will be described in detail below, a[0035]device200, consistent with the present invention, may assure the accuracy and validity of information and the performance of services provided by a server. Thedevice200 performs this task in response toprocessor220 executing sequences of instructions contained in a computer-readable medium, such assession memory230. A computer-readable medium may include one or more memory devices and/or carrier waves. The instructions may be read intomemory230 from another computer-readable medium, such as thepersistent memory240, or from another device via thecommunication interface270.
• Execution of the sequences of instructions contained in[0036]memory230 causesprocessor220 to perform processes that will be described later. Alternatively, hardwired circuitry may be used in place of or in combination with software instructions to implement processes consistent with the present invention. Thus, the present invention is not limited to any specific combination of hardware circuitry and software.
• System Processing[0037]
• In essence, the system[0038]100 attaches a bond to information or services provided by a server guaranteeing the accuracy and validity of the information and the performance of the services. The system100 may do this in many different ways. With regard to information, for example, the system100 may directly evaluate the accuracy and validity of information provided by the server either beforehand or during a transaction, using, for example, artificial intelligence (AI), online analytical processing (OLAP), or a statistical or heuristic assessment. In this case, the system100 may previously establish what constitutes accurate and valid information. Alternatively, the system100 may be presented with information that is warranted to be accurate and valid and bond the information based on the warranty.
• With regard to services, the system[0039]100 may evaluate evidence provided by the server that it has systems and/or methods in place to perform services as promised. For example, the server may provide evidence regarding the performance of services, such as the delivery of services (i.e., that it will be able to perform the promised services), the timeliness of the delivery of services (i.e., that it will be able to perform the services within or by a promised time), and/or the correct implementation and delivery of the services (i.e., that it will be able to perform the promised services in a correct and proper manner). In this case, the system100 may bond the services based on the evidence. Alternatively, the server may warrant that it will perform services as promised. In this case, the system100 may bond the services based on the warranty.
• FIG. 3 is a flowchart of processing by which the system[0040]100 evaluates the accuracy and validity of information and/or services provided by aserver120. Suppose, for example, that aclient110 accesses theserver120 in a conventional manner to request information regarding a credit history report. Suppose further that theserver120 informs theclient110 that it will provide the credit report within twenty-four hours.
• Processing may begin before the client[0041]100 sends a request to the server120 (e.g., at the time when theserver120 determines the types of information and/or services that it will provide). Alternatively, processing may begin at the time of the client request. In either case, theserver120 contacts thebonding agent130, using conventional techniques, to request bonding of particular pieces or types of information or services [step310]. During the course of a transaction, theclient110 may also contact thebonding agent130 to make certain that a bonded event is, indeed, occurring.
• In the example, the[0042]server120 may arrange beforehand with thebonding agent130 to bond the credit histories that it maintains in its databases. Theserver120 may demonstrate to thebonding agent130 that it obtained its data from very reliable sources and may possibly show its systems for updating the data. Theserver120 may also arrange to bond its twenty-four hour delivery service. Theserver120 may demonstrate to thebonding agent130 that it has systems in place that guarantee that it will be able to deliver a credit report within twenty-four hours. Based on the data provided by theserver120, thebonding agent130 may determine whether to bond the credit histories and/or the delivery service.
• Upon receipt of data from the[0043]server120 regarding the bonding of information and/or services provided by theserver120, thebonding agent130 may assess the bondability of the information and/or services [step320]. In other words, thebonding agent130 determines whether the information and/or services fall within the bondable domain of the bonding agent130 (i.e., whether this is the kind of information and/or services that it wants to bond).
• If the[0044]bonding agent130 determines that the information and/or services fall outside the bondable domain [step330], thebonding agent130 informs theserver120 that it will not bond the information and/or services [step340]. If, however, thebonding agent130 determines that the information and/or services fall within the bondable domain [step330], thebonding agent130 may evaluate the accuracy and validity of the information, if possible, and/or assess the systems that theserver120 has in place to provide the services [step350].
• To determine whether information is accurate and valid, the[0045]bonding agent130 may use predefined heuristics, AI, or OLAP. To determine whether performance of a service may be met, thebonding agent130 may analyze data, such as past performance or test runs, provided by theserver120. Thebonding agent130 then informs theserver120 of the result of the evaluation and/or the bondability assessment [step360]. If thebonding agent130 determines that the information is inaccurate or invalid, thebonding agent130 may provide information that it determines to be accurate and valid, if possible, to theserver120. If, instead, thebonding agent130 determines that the information is accurate and valid and/or theserver120 will be able to meet the promised service performance, thebonding agent130 may inform theserver120 that it will bond the information and/or service.
• FIG. 4 is a flowchart of processing by which the system[0046]100 bonds information that is warranted to be accurate and valid and/or services that are warranted to be performed as promised. Suppose again that aclient110 requests information regarding a credit history report and that theserver120 informs theclient110 that it will provide the credit report within twenty-four hours.
• Processing may begin before the client[0047]100 sends a request to the server120 (e.g., at the time when theserver120 determines the types of information and/or services that it will provide). Alternatively, processing may begin at the time of the client request. In either case, theserver120 contacts thebonding agent130, using conventional techniques, to request bonding of particular pieces or types of information or services [step410]. In this case, theserver120 warrants that the information it provides is accurate and valid and that the services it provides will be performed as promised [step420]. Theserver120 may do this by providing its own warranty or a warranty of a third (trusted) party.
• The[0048]bonding agent130 then assesses the bondability of the information and/or services [step430]. In other words, thebonding agent130 determines whether the information and/or services fall within the bondable domain of the bonding agent130 (i.e., whether this is the kind of information-and/or services that it wants to bond). If thebonding agent130 determines that the information and/or services fall outside the bondable domain [step440], thebonding agent130 informs theserver120 that it will not bond the information and/or services [step450]. If, however, thebonding agent130 determines that the information and/or services fall within the bondable domain [step440], thebonding agent130 may inform theserver120 that it will bond the information and/or services based on the received warranty or warranties [step460].
• FIGS. 5A and 5B are flowcharts of processing by which the system[0049]100 bonds information and/or services over a series of transactions. Suppose, for example, that aclient110 desires to purchase supplies from aserver120 over a period of time and that theserver120 promises to deliver each purchase order to the client110 for approval within two hours of receipt of a request. Suppose further that theclient110 wants to bond the accuracy of the data contained in each of its supply requests and theserver120 wants to bond the timeliness of its purchase order deliveries.
• With regard to the purchase requests, processing might begin with the client[0050]110 contacting thebonding agent130, using conventional techniques, to request bonding of the data included in a group of purchase requests that it will make during the time period [step505] (FIG. 5A). Theclient110 may warrant the accuracy of the data that it will provide in its future supply requests or may demonstrate that it has systems in place to guarantee the accuracy of the data [step510].
• The bonding agent may then assess the bondability of the data by determining whether the data falls within the bondable domain of the bonding agent[0051]130 (i.e., whether this is the kind of information that it wants to bond) [step515]. If thebonding agent130 determines that the data falls outside the bondable domain [step520], thebonding agent130 informs theclient110 that it will not bond the data in its supply requests [step525].
• If, however, the[0052]bonding agent130 determines that the data falls within the bondable domain [step520], thebonding agent130 may evaluate the accuracy of the data, if possible [step530]. In this example, thebonding agent130 may evaluate the data by simply accepting the warranty given by theclient110 or by assessing the systems that theclient110 has in place to guarantee the accuracy of the data. Thebonding agent130 then informs theclient110 of the result of the evaluation and/or the bondability assessment [step535].
• With regard to the purchase order delivery, processing might begin with the[0053]server120 contacting thebonding agent130, using conventional techniques, to request bonding of the delivery of each of the purchase orders within two hours of receipt of a purchase request [step550] (FIG. 5B). Theserver120 may warrant the timeliness of its purchase order deliveries or may demonstrate that it has systems in place to guarantee the delivery of the purchase orders within two hours of receipt of a request [step555].
• The bonding agent may then assess the bondability of the delivery service by determining whether the service falls within the bondable domain of the bonding agent[0054]130 (i.e., whether this is the kind of service that it wants to bond) [step560]. If thebonding agent130 determines that the service falls outside the bondable domain [step565], thebonding agent130 informs theserver120 that it will not bond its purchase order delivery service [step570].
• If, however, the[0055]bonding agent130 determines that the service falls within the bondable domain [step565], thebonding agent130 may evaluate the service [step575]. In this example, thebonding agent130 may evaluate the service by simply accepting the warranty given by theserver120 or by assessing the systems that theserver120 has in place to guarantee the timeliness of its purchase order deliveries. Thebonding agent130 then informs theserver120 of the result of the evaluation and/or the bondability assessment [step580].
• Conclusion[0056]
• Systems and methods consistent with the present invention guarantee under surety bond that information is accurate and valid and that services will be performed as promised and provide an indemnity when the information turns out to be inaccurate or invalid or the services go unperformed or are performed in a manner other than as promised.[0057]
• The foregoing description of preferred embodiments of the present invention provides illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of the invention. For example, although a series of steps have been provided with regard to the flowcharts of FIGS.[0058]3-5B, the order of the steps may vary in other implementations consistent with the present invention.
• In addition, the preceding description identified the[0059]bonding agent130 as the entity that determines the bondability of information and services. This need not be the case, however. In one implementation consistent with the present invention, thebonding agent130 advertises the categories of information and services that it will bond and theserver120, or possibly theclient110, determines whether information or services it wants bonded falls within these categories.
• Also, the preceding description identified the[0060]server120 as the entity that requests the bonding services of thebonding agent130. In other implementations consistent with the present invention, the client110 may request bonding services relating to information and/or services provided by theserver120.
• Furthermore, the preceding description identified a bond as the vehicle by which information and/or services are guaranteed. In other implementations consistent with the present invention, other forms of guarantees may be used.[0061]
• The scope of the invention is defined by the claims and their equivalents.[0062]

Claims (72)

What is claimed is:

1. A method for assuring at least one of accuracy of information and performance of services provided by an entity in communication with a bonding agent, the method, performed by the bonding agent, comprising:

receiving a request from the entity to bond at least one of the information and the services provided by the entity;

evaluating at least one of the accuracy of the information and the performance of the services; and

bonding the information when the information is determined to be accurate and the services when performance of the services is assured.

2. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising:

assessing the bondability of the information and services.

3. The method ofclaim 2, wherein the evaluating includes:

determining the accuracy of the information when the bondability assessment concludes that the information is bondable, and

determining whether the performance of the services is assured when the bondability assessment concludes that the services are bondable.

4. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising:

receiving a warranty from the entity, the warranty guaranteeing at least one of the accuracy of the information and the performance of the services.

5. The method ofclaim 4, wherein the evaluating includes:

determining that the information is accurate based on the warranty when the warranty guarantees the accuracy of the information, and

determining that the performance of services is assured based on the warranty when the warranty guarantees the performance of the services.

6. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the evaluating includes:

determining at least one of whether the information is accurate and whether the performance of services is assured.

7. The method ofclaim 6, wherein the determining includes:

determining whether the information is accurate using one of statistical assessment, heuristic assessment, artificial intelligence, and online analytical processing.

8. The method ofclaim 6, wherein the determining includes:

determining whether the performance of services is assured by analyzing one of past performance data, test run data, and systems in place by the entity to perform the services.

9. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the evaluating includes:

analyzing validity of the information.

10. The method ofclaim 9, wherein the bonding includes:

assigning a bond to the information when the information is determined to be accurate and valid.

11. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the bonding includes:

assigning a bond to the information or services.

12. The method ofclaim 11, wherein the assigning includes:

identifying an amount of indemnity to associate with the information or services, and

associating the identified amount of indemnity with the information or services.

13. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the information includes a group of data and the performance of services includes a series of services; and

wherein the receiving includes:

receiving a request from the entity to bond at least one of the group of data and the series of services provided by the entity.

14. The method ofclaim 13, wherein the bonding includes:

assigning a bond to the group of data or the series of services.

15. A system for assuring at least one of validity of information and performance of services provided by an entity, comprising:

means for receiving a request from the entity to bond at least one of information and services provided by the entity;

means for evaluating at least one of the validity of the information and the performance of the services; and

means for bonding the information when the information is determined to be valid and the services when performance of the services is assured.

16. A system for bonding at least one of information and services, comprising:

a memory configured to store instructions; and

a processor configured to execute the instructions in the memory to evaluate at least one of the information and the services in response to a request from an entity to bond the information or services corresponding to the entity, and bonding the information when the information is determined to be accurate and the services when performance of the services is assured.

17. The system ofclaim 16, wherein the processor is further configured to assess the bondability of the information and services.

18. The system ofclaim 17, wherein the processor is configured to determine the accuracy of the information when the bondability assessment concludes that the information is bondable and determine whether the performance of the services is assured when the bondability assessment concludes that the services are bondable.

19. The system ofclaim 16, wherein the processor is further configured to receive a warranty from the entity, the warranty guaranteeing at least one of the accuracy of the information and the performance of the services.

20. The system ofclaim 19, wherein the processor is configured to determine that the information is accurate based on the warranty when the warranty guarantees the accuracy of the information, and determine that the performance of services is assured based on the warranty when the warranty guarantees the performance of the services.

21. The system ofclaim 16, wherein the processor is configured to determine at least one of whether the information is accurate and whether the performance of services is assured.

22. The system ofclaim 21, wherein the processor is configured to determine whether the information is accurate using one of statistical assessment, heuristic assessment, artificial intelligence, and online analytical processing.

23. The system ofclaim 21, wherein the processor is configured to determine whether the performance of services is assured by analyzing one of past performance data, test run data, and systems in place to perform the services.

24. The system ofclaim 16, wherein the processor is further configured to analyze validity of the information.

25. The system ofclaim 24, wherein the processor is configured to assign a bond to the information when the information is determined to be accurate and valid.

26. The system ofclaim 16, wherein the processor is configured to assign a bond to the information or services.

27. The system ofclaim 26, wherein the processor is configured to identify an amount of indemnity to associate with the information or services and associate the identified amount of indemnity with the information or services.

28. The system ofclaim 16, wherein the information includes a group of data and the performance of services includes a series of services; and

wherein the processor is further configured to receive a request from the entity to bond at least one of the group of data and the series of services provided by the entity over a period of time.

29. The system ofclaim 28, wherein the processor is configured to assign a bond to the group of data or the series of services.

30. A computer-readable medium that stores instructions for causing at least one processor to perform a method for bonding at least one of information and services provided by an entity, the method comprising:

receiving a request from the entity to bond at least one of the information and the services provided by the entity;

determining at least one of whether the information is accurate and valid and whether performance of the services is assured; and

bonding the information when the information is determined to be accurate and valid and the services when the performance of the services is determined to be assured.

31. A method for assuring at least one of accuracy of information and performance of services provided by an entity in communication with a bonding agent, the method, performed by the bonding agent, comprising:

receiving a request from the entity to bond at least one of the information and the services provided by the entity;

receiving a warranty from the entity, the warranty indicating to the bonding agent that the information is accurate or that the service performance is guaranteed; and

bonding the information based on the warranty when the warranty indicates that the information is accurate and the services based on the warranty when the warranty indicates that the service performance is guaranteed.

32. The method ofclaim 31, further comprising:

assessing the bondability of the information and services.

33. The method ofclaim 32, wherein the bonding includes:

bonding the information when the bondability assessment concludes that the information is bondable, and

bonding the service performance when the bondability assessment concludes that the services are bondable.

34. The method ofclaim 31, wherein the warranty further indicates that the information is valid; and

wherein the bonding includes:

assigning a bond to the information when the warranty indicates that the information is accurate and valid.

35. The method ofclaim 31, wherein the bonding includes:

assigning a bond to the information or services.

36. The method ofclaim 35, wherein the assigning includes:

identifying an amount of indemnity to associate with the information or services, and

associating the identified amount of indemnity with the information or services.

37. The method ofclaim 31, wherein the information includes a group of data and the performance, of services includes a series of services; and

wherein the receiving a warranty includes:

receiving a warranty indicating at least one of that the group of data is accurate and that performance of the series of services is guaranteed.

38. The method ofclaim 37, wherein the bonding includes:

assigning a bond to the group of data or the series of services.

39. A system for bonding at least one of information and services provided by an entity, comprising:

a memory configured to store instructions; and

a processor connected to the memory and configured to receive a request from the entity to bond at least one of the information and the services provided by the entity, receive a warranty from the entity, the warranty indicating that the information is accurate or that performance of the services is guaranteed, and bond the information based on the warranty when the warranty indicates that the information is accurate and the services based on the warranty when the warranty indicates that performance of the services is guaranteed.

40. The system ofclaim 39, wherein the processor is further configured to assess the bondability of the information and services.

41. The system ofclaim 40, wherein the processor is configured to bond the information when the bondability assessment concludes that the information is bondable, and bond the services when the bondability assessment concludes that the services are bondable.

42. The system ofclaim 39, wherein the warranty further indicates that the information is valid; and

wherein the processor is configured to assign a bond to the information when the warranty indicates that the information is accurate and valid.

43. The system ofclaim 39,-wherein the processor is configured to assign a bond to the information or services.

44. The system ofclaim 43, wherein the processor is configured to identify an amount of indemnity to associate with the information or services, and associate the identified amount of indemnity with the information or services.

45. The system ofclaim 39, wherein the information includes a group of data and the services include a series of services; and

wherein the processor is configured to receive a warranty indicating at least one of that the group of data is accurate and that the series of services is guaranteed.

46. The system ofclaim 45, wherein the processor is configured to assign a bond to the group of data or the series of services.

47. A computer-readable medium that stores instructions for causing at least one processor to perform a method for bonding at least one of information and services provided by an entity, the method comprising:

receiving a request from the entity to bond at least one of the information and the services provided by the entity;

receiving a warranty from the entity, the warranty indicating to the bonding agent that the information is accurate and valid or that performance of the services is guaranteed; and

bonding the information based on the warranty when the warranty indicates that the information is accurate and valid and the services based on the warranty when the warranty indicates that the performance of the services is guaranteed.

48. A method for guaranteeing at least one of accuracy of a group of data and performance of a series of services provided by an entity over a period of time, the entity being in communication with a bonding agent, the method, performed by the bonding agent, comprising:

receiving a request from the entity to bond at least one of the group of data and the series of services provided by the entity over the time period;

analyzing at least one of the accuracy of the group of data and performance of the series of services; and

bonding the group of data when the data is determined to be accurate and the series of services when performance of the series of services is assured.

49. The method ofclaim 48, further comprising:

receiving a warranty from the entity, the warranty guaranteeing at least one of the accuracy of the group of data and performance of the series of services.

50. The method ofclaim 49, wherein the analyzing includes:

determining that the group of data is accurate based on the warranty when the warranty guarantees the accuracy of the group of data, and

determining that the performance of the series of services is assured based on the warranty when the warranty guarantees the performance of the series of services.

51. The method ofclaim 48, wherein the analyzing includes:

determining at least one of whether the group of data is accurate and whether the performance of the series of services is assured.

52. The method ofclaim 51, wherein the determining includes:

determining whether the group of data is accurate using one of statistical assessment, heuristic assessment, artificial intelligence, and online analytical processing.

53. The method ofclaim 51, wherein the determining includes:

determining whether the performance of the series of services is assured by analyzing one of past performance data, test run data, and systems in place by the entity to perform the series of services.

54. The method ofclaim 48, wherein the analyzing includes:

determining validity of the group of data.

55. The method ofclaim 54, wherein the bonding includes:

assigning a bond to the group of data when the group of data is determined to be accurate and valid.

56. The method ofclaim 48, wherein the bonding includes:

assigning a bond to the group of data or the series of services.

57. The method ofclaim 56, wherein the assigning includes:

identifying an amount of indemnity to associate with the group of data or series of services, and

associating the identified amount of indemnity with the group of data or the series of services.

58. A system for bonding at least one of a group of data and a series of services provided by an entity over a period of time, comprising:

a memory configured to store a plurality of instructions; and

a processor configured to execute the instructions in the memory to evaluate at least one of the group of data and the series of services in response to a request from the entity to bond at least one of the group of data and the series of services provided by the entity over the time period, and bond the group of data when the data is determined to be accurate and the series of services when performance of the series of services is assured.

59. The system ofclaim 58, wherein the processor is further configured to receive a warranty from the entity, the warranty guaranteeing at least one of the accuracy of the group of data and performance of the series of services.

60. The system ofclaim 59, wherein the processor is configured to determine that the group of data is accurate based on the warranty when the warranty guarantees the accuracy of the group of data, and determine that the performance of the series of services is assured based on the warranty when the warranty guarantees the performance of the series of services.

61. The system ofclaim 58, wherein the processor is configured to determine at least one of whether the group of data is accurate and whether the performance of the series of services is assured.

62. The system ofclaim 61, wherein the processor is configured to determine whether the group of data is accurate using one of statistical assessment, heuristic assessment, artificial intelligence, and online analytical processing.

63. The system ofclaim 61, wherein the processor is configured to determine whether the performance of the series of services is assured by analyzing one of past performance data, test run data, and systems in place by the entity to perform the series of services.

64. The system ofclaim 58, wherein the processor is further configured to analyze validity of the group of data.

65. The system ofclaim 64, wherein the processor is configured to assign a bond to the group of data when the group of data is determined to be accurate and valid.

66. The system ofclaim 58, wherein the processor is configured to assign a bond to the group of data or the series of services.

67. The system ofclaim 66, wherein the processor is configured to identify an amount of indemnity to associate with the group of data or series of services, and associate the identified amount of indemnity with the group of data or the series of services.

68. A computer-readable medium that stores instructions for causing at least one processor to perform a method for bonding at least one of a group of data and performance of a series of services provided by an entity over a period of time, the method comprising:

evaluating at least one of the group of data and the series of services in response to a request from the entity to bond the group of data or the series of services provided by the entity over the time period; and

bonding the group of data when the data is determined to be accurate and the series of services when performance of the series of services is assured.

69. A method for guaranteeing accuracy or validity of information provided by an entity, comprising:

analyzing a request from the entity to bond information provided by the entity;

determining whether the information is accurate or valid; and

assigning a bond to the information when the information is determined to be accurate or valid, the bond identifying an amount of indemnity to be paid when the information is later found to be inaccurate or invalid.

70. The method ofclaim 69, wherein the determining includes:

receiving a warranty from the entity, the warranty guaranteeing that the information is accurate or valid.

71. A method for guaranteeing performance of a service offered by an entity, comprising:

analyzing a request from the entity to bond performance of the service offered by the entity;

determining whether performance of the service is assured; and

assigning a bond to the performance of the service when the performance of the service is determined to be assured, the bond identifying an amount of indemnity to be paid when the service is performed in a manner other than as offered.

72. The method ofclaim 71, wherein the determining includes:

receiving a warranty from the entity, the warranty guaranteeing that the service will be preformed as offered.

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