Method and apparatus for electronic barter system
First Claim
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1. A method of completing a transaction using a national currency and a mutual currency, the method comprising:
- receiving an item to list for sale on a computer, the item having a corresponding seller;
classifying the item as one of for barter and for reward using the computer; and
upon sale of the item to a buyer;
if the item is for barter, using the computer to transfer a first predetermined amount of the national currency from the buyer to the seller of the item and a second predetermined amount of the mutual currency from the buyer to the seller of the item, otherwise if the item is for reward, using the computer to transfer a third predetermined amount of national currency from the buyer to the seller of the item and a fourth predetermined amount of mutual currency from the seller of the item to the buyer.
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Abstract
Electronic bartering systems and methods are described. Methods are described for completing a transaction by use of a national currency and a mutual currency. Items offered on the system may be classified as for barter or reward. In embodiments, an item offered on the system may have a listing price ($P) specified in the national currency and a minimum amount of national currency desired by the seller ($X) specified in the national currency. In some embodiments, the system has a maximum barter to cash ratio (%C) such that the item is classified for reward if $X/$P>%C.
55 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method of completing a transaction using a national currency and a mutual currency, the method comprising:
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receiving an item to list for sale on a computer, the item having a corresponding seller;
classifying the item as one of for barter and for reward using the computer; and
upon sale of the item to a buyer;
if the item is for barter, using the computer to transfer a first predetermined amount of the national currency from the buyer to the seller of the item and a second predetermined amount of the mutual currency from the buyer to the seller of the item, otherwise if the item is for reward, using the computer to transfer a third predetermined amount of national currency from the buyer to the seller of the item and a fourth predetermined amount of mutual currency from the seller of the item to the buyer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. An online barter exchange to support a number of barter transactions between a number of participants in a mutual currency, the online barter exchange comprising:
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a web interface to the online barter exchange;
a plurality of cash equivalent inventories for inclusion in the online barter exchange; and
software resources for permitting a barter transaction by at least one participant in the number of participants at least partially in the mutual currency for one or more of the number of cash equivalent inventories. - View Dependent Claims (7)
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8. An online barter exchange system for conducting a transaction using a national currency and a mutual currency, the system comprising:
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classification resources for classifying an item as one of for barter and for reward on the online barter exchange, wherein the item is initially owned by a seller; and
resources for transfering via the online barter system a first predetermined amount of the national currency from the buyer to the seller of the item and a second predetermined amount of the mutual currency from the buyer to the seller of the item if the item is for barter;
resources for transferring via the online system a third predetermined amount of national currency from the buyer to the seller of the item and a fourth predetermined amount of mutual currency from the seller of the item to the buyer if the item is for reward. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification