Computer method and system for intermediated exchanges

Abstract

In a preferred embodiment, this invention includes software processes distributed on one or more computer systems that exchange messages in order to facilitate an intermediated exchange of financial commodities between a plurality of participants. The messages are exchanged according to a preferred protocol that leads to a satisfactory exchange that meets the objectives of the participants, and that substantially maximizes in a fair manner the total amount of financial commodities exchanged. Optionally, the invention employs heuristic rules in association with the preferred protocol that adapt the protocol to the time and exchange requirements of financial commodities. In other embodiments, this invention is equally applicable to the exchange of any tangible or intangible commodities. In a general embodiment, this invention further includes a preferred message-exchange protocol for the construction of computer programs representing exchange participants and an intermediary. These constructed computer programs exchange messages such that a satisfactory intermediated exchange of commodities is substantially certain to be achieved.

1 . A computer system for electronic intermediated exchange of a plurality of commodities among a plurality of participants comprising: 
 a. one or more computer-based machines;    b. a plurality of e-agent computer programs running on at least one of said computer-based machines, wherein each said participant is associated with at least one of said e-agent computer programs, and each said e-agent computer program stores in an electronic memory digital data representing commodity exchange objectives of its associated participant; and    c. an electronic intermediary computer program running on at least one of said computer-based machines, wherein said intermediary computer program stores in an associated electronic memory digital data representing commodity exchange objectives of the intermediated exchange and exchanges electronic offer and electronic counter-offer messages with said e-agent computer programs;    wherein (i) said e-agent computer programs receive said electronic offer messages from said intermediary computer program, generate said electronic counter-offer messages according to said exchange objectives of said associated participants, and send said electronic counter-offer messages to said intermediary computer program, and (ii) said intermediary computer program receives said electronic counter-offer messages from said e-agent computer programs, generates said electronic offer messages according to said exchange objectives of said intermediated exchange, and sends said electronic offer messages to said e-agent computer programs.    
     
     
         2 - 86 . (canceled)