Inventory Control And Balancing System

Abstract

A method for providing a plurality of users with the ability to engage in the swap of a plurality of items comprising the following: providing a system for the entry of a plurality of items into inventory of a system by a plurality of users; providing a fixed number of credits for each said item entered which can be then used to obtain other items in the system's inventory wherein the number of credits received for each item will be automatically set by the system depending on each item's characteristics and where the total number of credits allocated represent the total value of all entered items.

1 . A method for providing users with the ability to engage in the swap of one or more items with one or more other users comprising:
 users entering one or more items to be swapped in an inventory of a system;   the system determining a number of credits for each item and providing said credits to a user for entering said item which credits can be used by said user toward acquiring one or more items entered by said one or more other users.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the system maintains a balance between the combined credit value of all items of inventory and the total number of credits of all users combined. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the balance is maintained such that any time an item is removed from the inventory of the system, the equivalent number of credits must also be removed from one or more users. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the balance is maintained by a removed inventory item being replaced by one or more items of combined equivalent value in credits. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the balance is maintained by a removed inventory item being replaced by one or more item of equivalent or greater value in credits wherein, if greater, the excess credits are provided to one or more users. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said items are selected from the group consisting of books, audiobooks, compact disks, DVDs, consumer software and videos. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said system further provides one or more incentives to a user who purchases an item and enters said item into said inventory. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said item is a new or used item purchased from the system. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said purchased item must be entered into said inventory within a predetermined time after purchase. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the incentive is monetary. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the incentive is the reduction in the cost of an item for sale. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the incentive is a gift certificate. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the incentive is a number of credits. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein acquiring an item will neither dilute nor enhance the value of the credits of users not involved in said acquisition. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the number of credits a user must use to acquire an item is the same number of credits provided to the user who entered said item into said inventory. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the number of credits provided to a user for items entered by said user are aggregated and placed into an account for said user. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the number of credits used by a user to acquire an item is deducted from said user's account. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the number of credits provided for entering an item is determined by the system depending on one or more of said item's characteristics. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said characteristics are determined by reference to one or more databases. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein at least one factor used to determine said number of credits is information indicative of the quality of said item. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein all items must be of a predetermined minimum quality. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein certain items must be of a predetermined minimum quality. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein items are entered into said inventory by reference to the International Standard Book Number. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein items are entered into said inventory by reference to the Universal Product Code. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said items are selected from the group consisting of tangible and intangible forms of movies, music and writings. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said items are intangible. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein users enter items into said inventory by choosing from items in one or more databases. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein users are not permitted to input the attributes of an item they enter into said inventory. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein users are permitted to input certain attributes of an item entered into said inventory. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein users choose which attributes they may input of an item they enter into said inventory. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein after a period has elapsed from when an item was entered into said inventory and said item has not been acquired by a user, said item is removed from said inventory. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein after a period has elapsed from when an item was entered into said inventory and said item has not been acquired by a user, the number of credits provided is reduced for said item. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein said reduced number of credits is removed from one or more users. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the system reduces said credits for said item. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the system requires the user who entered said item to reduce said credits. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the system permits a user to enter an item into said inventory wherein said user may allow other users to choose whether to purchase said item or to use credits to acquire said item. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the system sets the purchase price for said item as a constant determined by the system multiplied by the number of credits for said item. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the user sets the purchase price for said item. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein, if an item is purchased, the number of credits which was provided for said item when said item was entered is removed from one or more users. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein, if an item is purchased, the number of credits which was provided for said item when said item was entered is removed from the user who entered said item into said inventory. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein if the user who entered said item does not have sufficient unused credits to be removed, said user must enter one or more items into said inventory of equal or greater credit value of said item, wherein if greater, the excess credits will be provided to said user. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein if said user does not have sufficient unused credits to be removed, said user forfeits the purchase price. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein if said user does not have sufficient unused credits to be removed, said user forfeits a portion of the purchase price to the extent the number of credits removed is less than the number of credits provided when said item was entered. 
     
     
         44 . A method of operating a barter system, comprising:
 one or more users listing one or more items on the system wherein listing an item obligates the listing user to surrender said item when requested by the barter system; and   awarding to each user a barter credit determined by the system for each listed item wherein barter credit may be used by users toward the acquisition of one or more items that are listed on the barter system by other users.   
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein the system maintains a balance between the combined barter credit of all items of inventory and the total barter credit of all users combined. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein the balance is maintained such that any time an item is removed from the inventory of the system, the equivalent amount of barter credit must also be removed from one or more users. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein the balance is maintained by a removed inventory item being replaced by one or more items of combined equivalent value in barter credit. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein the balance is maintained by a removed inventory item being replaced by one or more items of equivalent or greater value in barter credit wherein, if greater, the excess barter credit is provided to one or more users. 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein said items are selected from the group consisting of books, audiobooks, compact disks, DVDs, consumer software and videos. 
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein said system further provides one or more incentives to a user who purchases an item and lists said item. 
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 50 , wherein said item is a new or used item purchased from the system. 
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 50 , wherein said purchased item must be listed within a predetermined time after purchase. 
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 50 , wherein the incentive is monetary. 
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 50 , wherein the incentive is the reduction in the cost of an item for sale. 
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 50 , wherein the incentive is a gift certificate. 
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 50 , wherein the incentive is barter credit. 
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein acquiring an item will neither dilute nor enhance the value of the barter credit of users not involved in said acquisition. 
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein the barter credit a user must use to acquire an item is the same amount of barter credit provided to the user who listed said item. 
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein the barter credit provided to a user for listing items is placed into an account for said user. 
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 59 , wherein the barter credit used by a user to acquire an item is deducted from said user's account. 
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein the barter credit provided for listing an item is determined by the system depending on one or more of said item's characteristics. 
     
     
         62 . The method of  claim 61 , wherein said characteristics are determined by reference to one or more databases. 
     
     
         63 . The method of  claim 61 , wherein at least one factor used to determine said barter credit is information indicative of the quality of said item. 
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein all items must be of a predetermined minimum quality. 
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein certain items must be of a predetermined minimum quality. 
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein items are listed by reference to the International Standard Book Number. 
     
     
         67 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein items are listed by reference to the Universal Product Code. 
     
     
         68 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein said items are selected from the group consisting of tangible and intangible forms of movies, music and writings. 
     
     
         69 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein said items are intangible. 
     
     
         70 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein users enter items into said inventory by choosing from items in one or more databases. 
     
     
         71 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein users are not permitted to input the attributes of an item they list. 
     
     
         72 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein users are permitted to input certain attributes of an item they list. 
     
     
         73 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein users choose which attributes they may input of an item they list. 
     
     
         74 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein after a period has elapsed from when an item was listed and said item has not been acquired by a user, said item is removed from the system. 
     
     
         75 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein after a period has elapsed from when an item was listed and said item has not been acquired by a user, the barter credit provided is reduced for said item. 
     
     
         76 . The method of  claim 75 , wherein said the amount by which said barter credit is reduced is removed from one or more users. 
     
     
         77 . The method of  claim 75 , wherein the system reduces said barter credit for said item. 
     
     
         78 . The method of  claim 75 , wherein the system requires the user who entered said item to reduce said barter credit. 
     
     
         79 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein the system permits a user to list an item wherein said user may allow other users to choose whether to purchase said item or to use barter credit to acquire said item. 
     
     
         80 . The method of  claim 79 , wherein the system sets the purchase price for said item as a constant determined by the system multiplied by the barter credit for said item. 
     
     
         81 . The method of  claim 79 , wherein the user sets the purchase price for said item. 
     
     
         82 . The method of  claim 79 , wherein, if an item is purchased, the barter credit which was provided for said item when said item was listed is removed from one or more users. 
     
     
         83 . The method of  claim 79 , wherein, if an item is purchased, the barter credit which was provided for said item when said item was listed is removed from the user who listed said item. 
     
     
         84 . The method of  claim 83 , wherein if the user who listed said item does not have sufficient unused barter credit to be removed, said user must list one or more items of equal or greater barter credit value of said item, wherein if greater, the excess barter credit will be provided to said user. 
     
     
         85 . The method of  claim 83 , wherein if said user does not have sufficient unused barter credit to be removed, said user forfeits the purchase price. 
     
     
         86 . The method of  claim 83 , wherein if said user does not have sufficient unused barter credit to be removed, said user forfeits a portion of the purchase price to the extent the barter credit removed is less than the barter credit provided when said item was listed. 
     
     
         87 . A method of operating a business, comprising:
 permitting a user to purchase an item; and   providing one or more incentives to the user to list the purchased item as being available for barter with other users.   
     
     
         88 . The method of  claim 87 , wherein the incentive is monetary. 
     
     
         89 . The method of  claim 87 , wherein the incentive is a gift certificate. 
     
     
         90 . The method of  claim 87 , wherein the incentive comprises awarding the user trading credits that may be used toward the acquisition of items that are listed by other users. 
     
     
         91 . The method of  claim 87 , wherein the system is electronic. 
     
     
         92 . The method of  claim 87 , wherein said business is Internet based. 
     
     
         93 . The method of  claim 87 , wherein communication between users and the system is at least partially conducted using a telephone. 
     
     
         94 . The method of  claim 87 , wherein communication between users and the system is at least partially conducted using a wireless telephone. 
     
     
         95 . The method of  claim 87 , wherein communication between users and the system is at least partially conducted using a portable communications device. 
     
     
         96 . The method of  claim 87 , wherein said items are selected from the group consisting of books, audiobooks, compact disks, DVDs, consumer software and videos. 
     
     
         97 . The method of  claim 87 , wherein said items are intangible. 
     
     
         98 . A method of operating a business, comprising:
 one or more users entering items into an inventory where the system offers those items to other users;   the system grouping items of a particular kind together and offering to said other users only one available item of each particular kind.   
     
     
         99 . The method of  claim 98 , wherein an item is determined to be of a particular kind by reference to the International Standard Book Number. 
     
     
         100 . The method of  claim 98 , wherein an item is determined to be of a particular kind by reference to the Universal Product Code. 
     
     
         101 . The method of  claim 98 , wherein the one available item offered is the earliest one entered into said inventory. 
     
     
         102 . The method of  claim 98 , wherein said system is electronic. 
     
     
         103 . The method of  claim 98 , wherein said system is Internet based. 
     
     
         104 . The method of  claim 98 , wherein said items are selected from the group consisting of books, audiobooks, compact disks, DVDs, consumer software and videos. 
     
     
         105 . The method of  claim 98 , wherein said items are intangible. 
     
     
         106 . The method of  claim 98 , wherein communication between users and the system is at least partially conducted using a telephone. 
     
     
         107 . The method of  claim 98 , wherein communication between users and the system is at least partially conducted using a wireless telephone. 
     
     
         108 . The method of  claim 98 , wherein communication between users and the system is at least partially conducted using a portable communications device. 
     
     
         109 . A method of operating a business, comprising:
 one or more users entering items into an inventory wherein the system offers said items for sale to buyers;   said users setting the price for each item entered into said inventory;   the system grouping items of a particular kind together and offering to buyers only the lowest priced item of each particular kind.   
     
     
         110 . The method of  claim 109 , wherein if more than one item of a particular kind is set at the same said lowest price, the earliest entered one of said particular kind of item will be offered to buyers. 
     
     
         111 . The method of  claim 110 , wherein a user may enter a second and lower price for each item wherein the system will offer to sell said item for the same price as a later entered item of that particular kind where said price for said later entered item is equal to or greater than said second and lower price. 
     
     
         112 . The method of  claim 111 , wherein said second and lower price for each item is set as a percentage of the price set by a user for said item. 
     
     
         113 . The method of  claim 110 , wherein a user is required to enter a second and lower price for each item wherein the system will offer to sell said item for the same price as a later entered item of that particular kind where said price for said later entered item is equal to or greater than said second and lower price. 
     
     
         114 . The method of  claim 113 , wherein said second and lower price for each item is set as a percentage of the price set by a user for said item. 
     
     
         115 . The method of  claim 109 , wherein an item is determined to be of a particular kind by reference to the International Standard Book Number. 
     
     
         116 . The method of  claim 109 , wherein an item is determined to be of a particular kind by reference to the Universal Product Code. 
     
     
         117 . The method of  claim 109 , wherein said system is electronic. 
     
     
         118 . The method of  claim 109 , wherein said system is Internet based. 
     
     
         119 . The method of  claim 109 , wherein said items are selected from the group consisting of books, audiobooks, compact disks, DVDs, consumer software and videos. 
     
     
         120 . The method of  claim 109 , wherein said items are intangible. 
     
     
         121 . The method of  claim 109 , wherein communication between users and the system is at least partially conducted using a telephone. 
     
     
         122 . The method of  claim 109 , wherein communication between users and the system is at least partially conducted using a wireless telephone. 
     
     
         123 . The method of  claim 109 , wherein communication between users and the system is at least partially conducted using a portable communications device. 
     
     
         124 . The method of  claim 109 , wherein an item is determined to be of a particular kind by reference to one or more databases. 
     
     
         125 . The method of  claim 109 , wherein there is more than one inventory. 
     
     
         126 . The method of  claim 109 , wherein the system is a user. 
     
     
         127 . A method wherein each of two or more users enters one or more items into an inventory of a system wherein the system provides for the acquisition by a user of a an item from another user at one rate and offers to provide for the acquisition at one or more lower rates additional items entered in said inventory by said other user. 
     
     
         128 . The method of  claim 127 , wherein said rates are shipping costs. 
     
     
         129 . The method of  claim 127 , wherein said rates are handling costs. 
     
     
         130 . The method of  claim 127 , wherein said system is electronic. 
     
     
         131 . The method of  claim 127 , wherein said system is Internet based. 
     
     
         132 . The method of  claim 127 , wherein said items are selected from the group consisting of books, audiobooks, compact disks, DVDs, consumer software and videos. 
     
     
         133 . The method of  claim 127 , wherein said items are intangible. 
     
     
         134 . The method of  claim 127 , wherein communication between users and the system is at least partially conducted using a telephone. 
     
     
         135 . The method of  claim 127 , wherein communication between users and the system is at least partially conducted using a wireless telephone. 
     
     
         136 . The method of  claim 127 , wherein communication between users and the system is at least partially conducted using a portable communications device. 
     
     
         137 . The method of  claim 127 , wherein the rates and lower rates are set by particular groupings of items. 
     
     
         138 . The method of  claim 137 , wherein said groupings are determined by reference to one or more databases. 
     
     
         139 . The method of  claim 127 , wherein the rates and lower rates are determined by the characteristics of said items in one or more databases. 
     
     
         140 . The method of  claim 127  wherein the rates and lower rates are determined by reference to the International Standard Book Number. 
     
     
         141 . The method of  claim 127 , wherein the rates and lower rates are determined by reference to the Universal Product Code. 
     
     
         142 . The method of  claim 127 , wherein there is more than one inventory. 
     
     
         143 . A method of operating a business wherein each of two or more users enters one or more items into an inventory of a system where said items will be offered to be acquired wherein said users communicate with said system, at least in part, via depressing keys on a telephone. 
     
     
         144 . The method of  claim 143 , wherein said system is electronic. 
     
     
         145 . The method of  claim 143 , wherein said system is Internet based. 
     
     
         146 . The method of  claim 143 , wherein said items are selected from the group consisting of books, audiobooks, compact disks, DVDs, consumer software and videos. 
     
     
         147 . The method of  claim 143 , wherein said items are intangible. 
     
     
         148 . The method of  claim 143 , wherein the telephone is land based. 
     
     
         149 . The method of  claim 143 , wherein the telephone is wireless. 
     
     
         150 . The method of  claim 143 , wherein said items are offered for sale. 
     
     
         151 . The method of  claim 143 , wherein said items are offered for barter. 
     
     
         152 . The method of  claim 143 , wherein said items are identified to the system by the International Standard Book Number. 
     
     
         153 . The method of  claim 143 , wherein said items are identified to the system by the Universal Product Code. 
     
     
         154 . The method of  claim 143 , wherein said items are identified to the system by allowing the user to have access to one or more databases. 
     
     
         155 . The method of  claim 143 , wherein there is more than one inventory.