Patent ID: 7962346
Filing Date: 2011-06-14
Classification: G06Q

Abstract:
1. A computer system for determining which of a plurality of different outcomes should be implemented, said computer system comprising: memory; and a processor that is connected to communicate with said memory, wherein said computer system is configured for: (A) receiving, from a first party of a plurality of parties, a first-party utility value that said first party would associate with at least one of said plurality of different outcomes; (B) receiving, from a second party of said plurality of parties, a second-party utility value that said second party would associate with at least one of said plurality of different outcomes; (C) receiving, from a third party of said plurality of parties, a third-party utility value that said third party would associate with at least one of said plurality of different outcomes; (D) identifying, in a substantially random manner, at least one of said plurality of parties as one of an excluded group of parties, wherein: (1) said excluded group of parties comprises at least one party; and (2) said identifying step at Step (D) comprises identifying, in a substantially random manner, at least said first party as one of said excluded group of parties; (E) identifying a candidate group that comprises each of said plurality of parties other than said excluded group of parties; and (F) determining which particular one of said plurality of outcomes should be selected based primarily on a set of utility values that comprises: (1) said second-party utility value; (2) said third-party utility value; and (3) a respective utility value provided by each of any other parties within said candidate group, wherein: said system is further configured for calculating a side payment that at least one party within said candidate group must make to said excluded group, and said system is further configured for indicating that said at least one party within said candidate group must make said side payment to said excluded group.