Computer-based service cooperative system and method for using the same

Abstract

A computer-based service cooperative system and method for use includes a host computer or a member initiator computer and at least two member computers linkable to the host or initiator computer. The members are associated in a member group and determine rules and a point value system. In use, one of the members in the member group requests a service event via the host or initiator computer, the host distributes the service event request to other members of the group according to a criteria and one of them accepts and performs the service. A ledger is carried by the host or initiator computer for maintaining a point account for each member. The host or initiator computer calculates a point amount for each service event and adjusts accordingly the point accounts for the provider and the requester. Such a service cooperative system may be used to exchange babysitting or child care services, household chores, yard work, reusable goods, and the like.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A computer-based service cooperative system, comprising: 
 a host computer;    at least two member computers linkable to said host computer, said member computers associated in a member group;    a point value system carried by said host computer, wherein one of said members in said member group requests a service event via said host computer, said host distributing said service event request to other members of said group, one of whom accepts and performs said service; and    a ledger carried by said host computer for maintaining a point account for each member, said host computer calculating a point amount for each said service event and adjusting accordingly said point accounts for the provider and the requestor.    
     
     
         2 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said host computer maintains more than one group.  
     
     
         3 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said host computer accesses said ledger and determines which member's point account is most in arrears and sends said service event request to a first member with the highest arrears point account for consideration.  
     
     
         4 . The system according to  claim 3 , wherein said host computer sends said service request event to the next highest arrears point account for consideration if said first member denies said request or does not respond to said request within a predetermined period of time.  
     
     
         5 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said host computer accesses said ledger and establishes ahierarchical order according said member's point account and sends said service event request to a first group of members with the highest hierarchical ranking.  
     
     
         6 . The system according to  claim 5 , wherein said host computer sends said service event request to a second group of members with the next highest hierarchical ranking for consideration if all said first group members deny said service event request or none of said first group members respond within a predetermined period of time.  
     
     
         7 . The system according to  claim 2 , wherein said host computer sends said service event request to all members of said group if said service event request is within a predetermined period of time of when said service event needs to occur.  
     
     
         8 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said host computer sends a point confirmation request to said service event provider to verify point totals for said service event, whereupon receipt of said confirmation request or acquiescence thereto, said host computer updates said ledger.  
     
     
         9 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said host computer sends a reminder to said service provider with pertinent information a predetermined period of time prior to said service event.  
     
     
         10 . The system according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 an initiator representing one of said at least two members of said group for communicating with said host computer.    
     
     
         11 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein one of said at least two member computers functions as said host computer.  
     
     
         12 . A method for exchanging services between members utilizing a computer network, comprising the steps of: 
 establishing a group of members, each member having access to a computer;    determining a point value system for exchanging services between members, said point value system maintained on one of said member's computer;    requesting a service by one of said members via said computer from at least one of the other members;    accepting via said computer and performing said service request by one of the other members; and    automatically adjusting a point account maintained on one of said member's computers for the member performing the service and the member requesting the service according to said point value system upon completion of the service.    
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 12 , further comprising the steps of: 
 determining which members of the group have the highest negative point account by one of said member's computers; and    sending said service request to said member with the highest number of negative points first.    
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 13 , further comprising the step of: 
 starting a timer, wherein if said member with the highest number of negative points does not respond before said timer elapses, said service request is sent to said member with the next highest number of negative points.    
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14 , further comprising the step of: 
 repeating said timer starting step until one of said members accepts said service request or all of the members, except the service requester, have been notified of the service event.    
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 12 , further comprising the steps of: 
 ranking the members of the group according to their point account values, wherein the member with the highest number of negative points is ranked first and the member with the least number of negative points is ranked last, and wherein said member requesting said service is excluded from said ranking;    segmenting said ranking into hierarchical groups of said members; and    sending said service request to a first segmented group with the highest ranking first.    
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16 , further comprising the step of: 
 starting a timer, wherein if none of the members in said first segmented group accepts said service before said timer elapses, said service request is sent to a next highest ranked segmented group.    
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 17 , further comprising the step of: 
 repeating said timer starting step until one of said members accepts said service request or all of the members have been notified of the service event.    
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 12 , further comprising the steps of: 
 linking a host computer to said member's computers, said host computer maintaining said point value system and said point accounts; and    coordinating said service event requests between members and adjusting said member's point accounts from said host computer.