Multi-transaction system and method

• US 8,065,223 B2
• Filed: 06/21/2010
• Issued: 11/22/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Safeguard Delaware, Inc. (Safeguard Scientifics (Delaware), Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Swap.com, Inc.
• Inventors: Boesel, Greg
• Primary Examiner(s): Havan; Thu Thao
• Application Number:
  US12/819,781
• Publication Number:
  US 20110035292A1
• Time in Patent Office: 519 Days
• Field of Search: 705 37- 38
• US Class Current: 705/37
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0641 Shopping interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/08 Auctions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/03 Credit; Loans; Processing thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/04 Trading; Exchange, e.g. stocks, commodities, derivatives or currency exchange

Abstract

A multi-transaction system comprises a transaction module configured to access a set of transaction systems to obtain transaction information to enable procurement of an item. The set of transaction systems includes an automated trading system configured to enable a user to receive the item in a trade for at least one other item associated with the user, and further includes at least one of an auction system configured to enable the user to electronically bid on the item and an online sales system configured to enable the user to purchase the item. A method is provided for performing corresponding functions.

Claims

1. A method of enabling procurement of an item using multiple types of transaction systems, comprising:

providing a network accessible computer system having a processor coupled to a computer storage device;

each user from a plurality of users generating and storing in the computer storage device a have list that includes at least one good available for trading; and

enabling procurement of a wanted item from an automated trading system and at least one of an auction system and an online sales system, wherein procurement from the automated trading system includes the computer system;

receiving an electronic indication from a user of the wanted item;

determining a set of users from the plurality of users having the wanted item; and

in response to an electronic selection by the user of a trade partner from the set of users, electronically conducting a non-negotiated trade for the wanted item without regard to price or market value of the wanted item, including electronically providing instructions to the trade partner to ship the wanted item to the user.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the have lists and the wanted item consist of only books.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the books include paperback books, hardcover books, electronic books, and audio books.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the item is of a type chosen from a group comprising a book, recorded music, a movie, and a video game.

5. The method of claim 1, further including:

graphically identifying preferred trade partners from the set of users.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

presenting user interface mechanisms configured to enable the user to electronically procure the wanted item from the automated trading system and at least one of the auction system and the online sales system.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

presenting a purchase option for the wanted item in addition to a trade option available from the set of users from the plurality of users having the wanted item.

8. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

presenting an auction option for the wanted item in addition to a trade option available from the set of users from the plurality of users having the wanted item.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

presenting a purchase option for the wanted item in addition to a trade option available from the set of users from the plurality of users having the wanted item.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the automated trading system, the online sales system, and the auction system are independent systems that are remote to each other.

11. A multi-transaction system, comprising:

a transaction module configured to enable procurement of a wanted item from an automated trading system and at least one of an auction system and an online sales system,

wherein the automated trading system comprises at least one processor coupled to a computer storage device configured to store, for each user from a plurality of users, a have list that includes at least one good available for trading, the automated trading system configured to;

receive an electronic indication from a user of the wanted item;

determine a set of users from the plurality of users having the wanted item; and

in response to an electronic selection by the user of a trade partner from the set of users, electronically conduct a non-negotiated trade for the wanted item without regard to price or market value of the wanted item, including electronically providing instructions to the trade partner to ship the wanted item to the user.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the have lists and the wanted item consist of only books.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the books include paperback books, hardcover books, electronic books, and audio books.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the item is of a type chosen from a group comprising a book, recorded music, a movie, and a video game.

15. The system of claim 11, further including:

graphically identifying preferred trade partners from the set of users.

16. The system of claim 11, further comprising:

a user interface module configured to present user interface mechanisms on a display to enable the user to electronically procure the wanted item from the automated trading system and at least one of the auction system and the online sales system.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the automated trading system is further configured to:

present a purchase option for the wanted item in addition to a trade option available from the set of users from the plurality of users having the wanted item.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein the automated trading system is further configured to:

present an auction option for the wanted item in addition to a trade option available from the set of users from the plurality of users having the wanted item.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the automated trading system is further configured to:

present a purchase option for the wanted item in addition to a trade option available from the set of users from the plurality of users having the wanted item.

20. A computer program product including a computer readable medium having stored thereon computer executable instructions for performing a method comprising:

providing a network accessible computer system having a processor coupled to a computer storage device;

each user from a plurality of users generating and storing in the computer storage device a have list that includes at least one good available for trading; and

enabling procurement of a wanted item from an automated trading system and at least one of an auction system and an online sales system, wherein procurement from the automated trading system includes the computer system;

receiving an electronic indication from a user of the wanted item;

determining a set of users from the plurality of users having the wanted item; and

in response to an electronic selection by the user of a trade partner from the set of users, electronically conducting a non-negotiated trade for the wanted item without regard to price or market value of the wanted item, including electronically providing instructions to the trade partner to ship the wanted item to the user.