Patent ID: 7765549
Filing Date: 2010-07-27
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A computer implemented method for distributing items for processing, the method comprising: receiving a request transmitted across a network for a batch of items to be processed, wherein the request is received at a server, the request comprising parameters for performing at least one of defining items requested and specifying a number of items requested; determining using a processor associated with the server whether a number of available items exceeds a first predetermined threshold, where the first predetermined threshold specifies a non-zero number of items; sending a batch of the available items across the network in response to the request if the number of available items exceeds the first predetermined threshold, the batch of available items sent includes a number of items that exceeds the first predetermined threshold and the items sent in the batch satisfy the parameters defining the items requested; and if the number of available items does not exceed the first predetermined threshold: