On-line ingredient exchange system and method
First Claim
1. A system for the exchange of at least one raw material, the system comprising:
- means for data storage having a database thereon, the database comprising a name identifier and at least one criterion associated with each of the at least one raw material;
means for processing the database, the processing means operably connected to the data storage means;
a first terminal having a means for data entry; and
means for communication between the processing means and the first terminal, the communication means operably connected to the processing means and the first terminal, such that a user may enter by the data entry means of the first terminal a selected name identifier or a selected criterion for communication via the communication means of the entered data to the processing means for subsequent selection from the data storage means by the processing means of one of the at least one raw materials matching the entered data.
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Abstract
A method and system for an on-line ingredient exchange. The system includes a database which contains a name identifier and at least one certification for at least one raw material. The system also includes a data processor operably connected to the database, a terminal for entry of at least one name identifier or certification, and a communication link between the terminal and the processor. The method of exchange of ingredients using this system includes the steps of establishing communication between the terminal and the processor, entering at least one name identifier or certification of a raw material at the terminal, selecting with the processor the at least one raw material from the database that satisfies the data entered, and communicating the selected at least one raw material via the communication link to the terminal. The method and system of the present invention allows for the exchange of raw materials across SIC Codes and HTS indices. Also, the characteristics, certifications, and registrations of an ingredient are used as criteria to more accurately and efficiently match buyers and sellers of raw materials. In one embodiment of the invention, the system includes the electronic transfer of electronic records representing certifications, registrations, and characteristics associated with the raw materials, which can follow the transaction, thus providing users the ability to view the information required to complete the transaction. The system tracks such information through the entire supply chain of raw materials contained in an end product, regardless of whether the system was used for any exchange of such raw materials.
70 Citations
40 Claims
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1. A system for the exchange of at least one raw material, the system comprising:
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means for data storage having a database thereon, the database comprising a name identifier and at least one criterion associated with each of the at least one raw material;
means for processing the database, the processing means operably connected to the data storage means;
a first terminal having a means for data entry; and
means for communication between the processing means and the first terminal, the communication means operably connected to the processing means and the first terminal, such that a user may enter by the data entry means of the first terminal a selected name identifier or a selected criterion for communication via the communication means of the entered data to the processing means for subsequent selection from the data storage means by the processing means of one of the at least one raw materials matching the entered data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A system for the exchange of raw materials, comprising:
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data storage means;
processing means operably connected to the data storage means;
data representing the at least one raw material, the data representative of at least one criterion associated with the at least one raw material, the data stored in the data storage means;
a first terminal having a data entry means;
an electronic certificate representing the at least one criterion; and
communication means operably connected to the processing means and the first terminal. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A system for the maintenance and transfer of information about at least one raw material, the system comprising:
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means for data storage having a database thereon, the database comprising a name identifier and at least one characteristic, registration, or certificate associated with the at least one raw material;
means for processing the database, the processing means operably connected to the data storage means;
a first terminal having a means for data entry;
an electronic record representing the at least one characteristic, registration, or certificate associated with the at least one raw material;
means for communication operably connected to the processing means and the first terminal, such that a user may communicate the electronic record representing the at least one characteristic, registration, or certificate associated with the at least one raw material to a second terminal with the communications means. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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Specification