Method of exchanging goods over the internet
First Claim
1. A method for coordinating an exchange of items between individuals over a communications network, said method comprising:
- providing, maintaining, and updating a preexisting list of like items being offered for exchange, wherein the steps of providing, maintaining, and updating are performed by a third party;
receiving a first data entry identifying a first offered item being offered for exchange by a first user, wherein the first data entry comprises the first user'"'"'s selection of the first offered item from the preexisting list of like items being offered for exchange;
receiving first search criteria identifying a first desired item to be received in exchange for the first item by the first user, wherein the first search criteria is generated by the first user'"'"'s selection of the first desired item from the preexisting list of like items being offered for exchange;
storing the first data entry and the first search criteria in a database component of a central computer system;
receiving a second data entry identifying a second offered item being offered for exchange by a second user, wherein the second data entry comprises the second user'"'"'s selection of a second offered item from the preexisting list of like items being offered for exchange;
receiving second search criteria identifying a second desired item to be received in exchange for the second item by the second user, wherein the second search criteria comprises the second user'"'"'s selection of the second desired item from the preexisting list of like items being offered for exchange;
searching the database in accordance with the second search criteria and the second data entry;
generating a match if the first data entry satisfies the second search criteria and if the second data entry satisfies the first search criteria;
informing the second user whether a match has been generated; and
storing the second data entry and the second search criteria in the database if no match has been generated.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system is taught for coordinating the exchange of goods between parties over a communications network such as the internet. Users of the system can interact with a central computer to input data regarding items that they offer for exchange, as well as search criteria describing items that they would like to receive in exchange. A processor in the central computer searches records stored in a database to find and sort those records that satisfy the user'"'"'s search criteria. A second test is then be performed to determine whether the information that the user input describing the item offered for exchange satisfies search criteria within the record. As a result, a match may be generated between two users who have input complementary criteria. The invention can also accommodate more complex exchanges between three or more parties.
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Citations
51 Claims
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1. A method for coordinating an exchange of items between individuals over a communications network, said method comprising:
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providing, maintaining, and updating a preexisting list of like items being offered for exchange, wherein the steps of providing, maintaining, and updating are performed by a third party;
receiving a first data entry identifying a first offered item being offered for exchange by a first user, wherein the first data entry comprises the first user'"'"'s selection of the first offered item from the preexisting list of like items being offered for exchange;
receiving first search criteria identifying a first desired item to be received in exchange for the first item by the first user, wherein the first search criteria is generated by the first user'"'"'s selection of the first desired item from the preexisting list of like items being offered for exchange;
storing the first data entry and the first search criteria in a database component of a central computer system;
receiving a second data entry identifying a second offered item being offered for exchange by a second user, wherein the second data entry comprises the second user'"'"'s selection of a second offered item from the preexisting list of like items being offered for exchange;
receiving second search criteria identifying a second desired item to be received in exchange for the second item by the second user, wherein the second search criteria comprises the second user'"'"'s selection of the second desired item from the preexisting list of like items being offered for exchange;
searching the database in accordance with the second search criteria and the second data entry;
generating a match if the first data entry satisfies the second search criteria and if the second data entry satisfies the first search criteria;
informing the second user whether a match has been generated; and
storing the second data entry and the second search criteria in the database if no match has been generated. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A system for coordinating the exchange of items between individuals via a communications network, said system comprising:
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a central computer;
a plurality of remote terminals, each of said remote terminals having input devices for entering data;
a data communication network providing a signal path for data exchange between said central computer and said plurality of remote terminals;
a processor located at said central computer;
an interface located at said central computer, said interface being controlled by said processor, wherein said interface is capable of providing data to and receiving data from said remote terminals;
a data storage device connected to said central computer, said data storage device being controlled by said processor, and said data storage device storing data records comprising information related to at least one of;
items offered for exchange, requests for items to be exchanged, descriptions of items, and user identification; and
a preexisting list of like items being offered for exchange that is provided, maintained, and updated by a third party;
said central computer receiving a data entry identifying an item offered for exchange that is on the preexisting list of like items being offered for exchange and search criteria relating to a desired item requested for exchange that is on the preexisting list of like items being offered for exchange input at one of said plurality of remote terminals by a first user, the search criteria generated by the first user'"'"'s selection of an item from the preexisting list of like items being offered for exchange;
said processor analyzing the data records to determine whether the received search criteria are satisfied by information contained in the data records provided by a second user who previously identified an item offered for exchange and a desired item, both from the list of like items, and said processor further analyzes the data records to determine whether search criteria associated with the data records are satisfied by the received data entry;
said processor selectively retrieving a data record that;
(1) satisfies the received search criteria of the first user, and (2) is satisfied in its search criteria by the received data entry; and
said processor providing information contained in the selectively retrieved record to the first user. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A method for conducting an online exchange club wherein users access a central computer via a communications network, store in a database associated with the central computer information identifying items they would like to exchange with other users and items they would like to receive in exchange, and wherein the central computer automatically matches users who have input complementary information, said method comprising:
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providing access to a central computer via a communications network;
providing, maintaining, and updating a preexisting list of like items being offered for exchange, wherein the steps of providing, maintaining, and updating are performed by a third party;
receiving a data entry from a first user identifying an item offered for exchange, wherein the data entry is comprised of the first user'"'"'s selection of an item from the preexisting list of like items being offered for exchange;
receiving search criteria from the first user identifying an item from the preexisting list of like items being offered for exchange;
searching records in a database associated with the central computer for information that satisfies the search criteria, wherein the information comprises a data entry from a second user identifying an item offered for exchange and a desired item to be received in exchange, both items selected from the preexisting list of like items;
analyzing the records to determine whether the received search criteria are satisfied by information contained in the records;
analyzing the records to determine whether search criteria associated with the records are satisfied by the received data entry;
selectively retrieving a record that;
(1) satisfies the received search criteria, and (2) is satisfied in its search criteria by the received data entry; and
displaying information related to the selectively retrieved records. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51)
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Specification