Computer-implemented trading in freight derivatives and techniques therefor
First Claim
1. A network-based, computer-implemented method of enabling a first user to purchase derivatives in freight capacity transported via at least two modes of transportation between a first location and a second location, comprising:
- receiving capacity release data from a plurality of carriers, said capacity release data pertaining at least to said two modes of transportation, wherein said receiving said capacity release data is performed by a computer;
bundling capacity releases in accordance with a geographic bundling criterion to generate bundles, wherein said bundling is performed by said computer;
creating a plurality of available derivative contracts using information associated with said bundles, wherein said creating is performed by said computer;
receiving a derivative purchase request from said first user for capacity between said first location and said second location, said derivative purchase request having contract requirements that specify at least a shipment volume and a performance time, wherein said receiving said derivative purchase request is performed by said computer;
obtaining from said plurality of derivative contracts a group of derivative contracts that satisfy said contract requirements, said obtaining being performed by said computer;
selecting a subset of said group of derivative contracts to satisfy said derivative purchase request, said subset including at least a first derivative contract for a first mode of said two transportation modes and a second derivative contract for a second mode of said two transportation modes, said two transportation modes represent two from a set of air mode, sea mode, rail mode, and truck mode, said selecting being performed by said computer;
displaying said group of derivative contracts in a first data section of a computer window on a computer display screen for viewing; and
simultaneously displaying user-specific forecast data in a second data section of said computer window when said group of derivative contracts is displayed in said first data section of said computer window, said user-specific forecast data including demand forecasts made by shippers of demand between said first location and said second location, wherein said user-specific forecast data does not include forecasts associated with any shipper that has not expressed a prior implicit or explicit authorization for said first user to view the shipper'"'"'s forecast data.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Computer-implemented techniques via a computer network for allowing freight industry participants, including shippers, forwarders, carriers, and market makers to securely and conveniently trade in freight capacity, which is destined to be transported via a plurality of transportation modes, are disclosed. Trading is enhanced by providing user-appropriate forecast data and rating data to traders, while various data display restrictions are imposed to achieve security and to respect the confidentiality needs of the freight industry participants.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A network-based, computer-implemented method of enabling a first user to purchase derivatives in freight capacity transported via at least two modes of transportation between a first location and a second location, comprising:
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receiving capacity release data from a plurality of carriers, said capacity release data pertaining at least to said two modes of transportation, wherein said receiving said capacity release data is performed by a computer; bundling capacity releases in accordance with a geographic bundling criterion to generate bundles, wherein said bundling is performed by said computer; creating a plurality of available derivative contracts using information associated with said bundles, wherein said creating is performed by said computer; receiving a derivative purchase request from said first user for capacity between said first location and said second location, said derivative purchase request having contract requirements that specify at least a shipment volume and a performance time, wherein said receiving said derivative purchase request is performed by said computer; obtaining from said plurality of derivative contracts a group of derivative contracts that satisfy said contract requirements, said obtaining being performed by said computer; selecting a subset of said group of derivative contracts to satisfy said derivative purchase request, said subset including at least a first derivative contract for a first mode of said two transportation modes and a second derivative contract for a second mode of said two transportation modes, said two transportation modes represent two from a set of air mode, sea mode, rail mode, and truck mode, said selecting being performed by said computer; displaying said group of derivative contracts in a first data section of a computer window on a computer display screen for viewing; and simultaneously displaying user-specific forecast data in a second data section of said computer window when said group of derivative contracts is displayed in said first data section of said computer window, said user-specific forecast data including demand forecasts made by shippers of demand between said first location and said second location, wherein said user-specific forecast data does not include forecasts associated with any shipper that has not expressed a prior implicit or explicit authorization for said first user to view the shipper'"'"'s forecast data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A network-based, computer-implemented method of enabling a market maker to trade in derivatives in freight capacity transported via at least two modes of transportation between a first location and a second location, said at least two modes representing two of a set that includes air, sea, rail, and truck, comprising:
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receiving capacity release data from a plurality of carriers, said capacity release data pertaining at least to said two modes of transportation, wherein said receiving said capacity release data is performed by a computer; bundling capacity releases in accordance with a geographic bundling criterion to generate bundles, wherein said bundling is performed by said computer; creating a plurality of available derivative contracts using information associated with said bundles, a number of derivative contracts in said plurality of available derivative contracts being smaller than a number of capacity releases represented by said capacity release data, wherein said creating is performed by said computer; displaying said plurality of available derivative contracts in a first data section of a computer window on a computer display screen; simultaneously displaying aggregated forecast data in a second data section of said computer window when said plurality of available derivative contracts is displayed in said first data section of said computer window, said aggregated forecast data including demand forecasts made by a plurality of shippers of demand between said first location and said second location, wherein said aggregated forecast data does not reveal data that links a specific shipper to a specific shipment quantity. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification