Patent Publication Number: US-2019172087-A1

Title: Cross Platform Reward Exchange Marketplace

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates in general to the field of computers and similar technologies, and in particular to software utilized in this field. Still more particularly, it relates to a method, system and computer-usable medium for performing a cross platform reward exchange marketplace operation. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     It is known to use information processing systems such as computer systems for entertainment. For example, information processing systems are often used to play games such as video games. There are thousands of different games which are played by millions of users each day. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A system, method, and computer-readable medium are disclosed for performing a cross platform reward exchange marketplace operation, comprising: creating a cross platform rewards account; transferring rewards from a first entertainment system to the cross platform rewards account; determining an exchange market value for the rewards from the first entertainment system; performing an exchange transaction using the rewards, the cross platform reward trade marketplace operation enabling disparate entertainment platforms to exchange rewards. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention may be better understood, and its numerous objects, features and advantages made apparent to those skilled in the art by referencing the accompanying drawings. The use of the same reference number throughout the several figures designates a like or similar element. 
         FIG. 1  shows an exemplary client computer in which the present invention may be implemented. 
         FIG. 2  shows a block diagram of a cross platform reward exchange environment 
         FIGS. 3A and 3B , generally referred to as  FIG. 3 , show a generalized flowchart of a flow chart of a cross platform reward exchange operation. 
         FIG. 4  shows a flow chart of a cross platform reward exchange purchase operation. 
         FIG. 5  shows a flow chart of a cross platform reward exchange purchase escrow operation. 
         FIGS. 6A and 6B , generally referred to as  FIG. 6 , show a flow chart of a cross platform reward exchange purchase auction operation. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A method, system and computer-usable medium for performing a cross platform reward exchange marketplace operation are disclosed. In certain embodiments, the cross platform reward trade marketplace operation enables a user or users of disparate entertainment platforms to perform transactions across the disparate entertainment platforms. In certain embodiments, the transaction can include exchange of rewards between different game systems. For example, rewards for a first game system could be used to purchase rewards for another game system. In various embodiments, the transaction can be performed in any of a plurality of exchanges. For example, the exchange can include an exchange of money, an exchange for other rewards from the same type of game and an exchange for rewards from another type of game. In certain embodiments, an item associated with a particular game can be auctioned. In certain embodiments, if the trade is performed across different gaming platforms, then the cross platform reward trade marketplace operation could set a price for both the parties so that an equal trade can occur. 
     The reward exchange marketplace operation allows users to trade their rewards or points for one game with another user&#39;s rewards or points from another game. Points could be traded with another player for money, other kinds of rewards in the same game or rewards from a different game. Such a reward exchange marketplace operation allows users who play multiple games to sell their rewards to other users. In certain embodiments, the rewards are set for auction, where other players bid and the seller selects a bid based upon the seller&#39;s preference. The bids could be money or other rewards. 
     Such a reward exchange marketplace operation may be provided as a service which could enable the service provider to receive a share of every rewards exchange transaction performed by the service provider. Additionally, with such a reward exchange marketplace operation, data from the transactions could enable a service provider to analyze data associated with the transactions to identify cross platform transaction trend data. Such cross platform transaction trend data could be monetized in a variety of ways. For example, the cross platform transaction trend data could be used to increase increasing advertising revenue, increase advertising effectiveness, provide analysis data to the organizations originating the transactions, etc. 
     As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the present invention may be embodied as a method, system, or computer program product. Accordingly, embodiments of the invention may be implemented entirely in hardware, entirely in software (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or in an embodiment combining software and hardware. These various embodiments may all generally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module,” or “system.” Furthermore, the present invention may take the form of a computer program product on a computer-usable storage medium having computer-usable program code embodied in the medium. 
     Any suitable computer usable or computer readable medium may be utilized. The computer-usable or computer-readable medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer-readable medium would include the following: a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, or a magnetic storage device. In the context of this document, a computer-usable or computer-readable medium may be any medium that can contain, store, communicate, or transport the program for use by or in connection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. 
     Computer program code for carrying out operations of the present invention may be written in an object oriented programming language such as Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the like. However, the computer program code for carrying out operations of the present invention may also be written in conventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similar programming languages. The program code may execute entirely on the user&#39;s computer, partly on the user&#39;s computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user&#39;s computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user&#39;s computer through a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider). 
     Embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems) and computer program products according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. 
     These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture including instruction means which implement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. 
     The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide steps for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an exemplary computer system  102  in which the present invention may be utilized or implemented. Computer system  102  includes a processor unit  104  that is coupled to a system bus  106 . A video adapter  108 , which controls a display  110 , is also coupled to system bus  106 . System bus  106  is coupled via a bus bridge  112  to an Input/Output (I/O) bus  114 . An I/O interface  116  is coupled to I/O bus  114 . The I/O interface  116  affords communication with various I/O devices, including a keyboard  118 , a mouse  120 , a Compact Disk-Read Only Memory (CD-ROM) drive  122 , a floppy disk drive  124 , and a flash drive memory  126 . The format of the ports connected to I/O interface  116  may be any known to those skilled in the art of computer architecture, including but not limited to Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports. 
     Computer system  102  is able to communicate with a service provider server  152  via a network  128  using a network interface  130 , which is coupled to system bus  106 . Network  128  may be an external network such as the Internet, or an internal network such as an Ethernet Network or a Virtual Private Network (VPN). Using network  128 , computer system  102  is able to use the present invention to access service provider server  152 . 
     A hard drive interface  132  is also coupled to system bus  106 . Hard drive interface  132  interfaces with a hard drive  134 . In a preferred embodiment, hard drive  134  populates a system memory  136 , which is also coupled to system bus  106 . Data that populates system memory  136  includes the client computer&#39;s  102  operating system (OS)  138  and software programs  144 . 
     OS  138  includes a shell  140  for providing transparent user access to resources such as software programs  144 . Generally, shell  140  is a program that provides an interpreter and an interface between the user and the operating system. More specifically, shell  140  executes commands that are entered into a command line user interface or from a file. Thus, shell  140  (as it is called in UNIX®), also called a command processor in Windows®, is generally the highest level of the operating system software hierarchy and serves as a command interpreter. The shell provides a system prompt, interprets commands entered by keyboard, mouse, or other user input media, and sends the interpreted command(s) to the appropriate lower levels of the operating system (e.g., a kernel  142 ) for processing. While shell  140  generally is a text-based, line-oriented user interface, the present invention can also support other user interface modes, such as graphical, voice, gestural, etc. 
     As depicted, OS  138  also includes kernel  142 , which includes lower levels of functionality for OS  138 , including essential services required by other parts of OS  138  and software programs  144 , including memory management, process and task management, disk management, and mouse and keyboard management. Software programs  144  may include a browser  146  and email client  148 . Browser  146  includes program modules and instructions enabling a World Wide Web (WWW) client (i.e., computer system  102 ) to send and receive network messages to the Internet using HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP) messaging, thus enabling communication with service provider server  152 . In various embodiments, software programs  144  may also include a cross platform reward exchange system  150 . In these and other embodiments, the cross platform reward exchange system  150  includes code for implementing the processes described hereinbelow. In one embodiment, computer system  102  is able to download the cross platform reward exchange system  150  from a service provider server  152 . 
     The hardware elements depicted in computer system  102  are not intended to be exhaustive, but rather are representative to highlight components used by the present invention. For instance, computer system  102  may include alternate memory storage devices such as magnetic cassettes, Digital Versatile Disks (DVDs), Bernoulli cartridges, and the like. These and other variations are intended to be within the spirit, scope and intent of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram of a cross platform reward exchange environment  200  implemented in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The cross platform reward exchange environment  200  includes a cross platform reward exchange system  150 . 
     In general, the cross platform reward exchange operation creates a globalized marketplace that is used as a platform to enable trading between and among different gaming systems. In various embodiments, the trading exchanges rewards such as gaming system tools and/or gaming system points. In certain embodiments, the trading includes auction based exchanges where a user can decide on a best bid for a particular reward or set of rewards and can exchange sell the reward or set of rewards with that user in response to receipt of the best bid. This trade or auction could be exchanged for a tool or item from a different gaming environment, different tools in the same gaming platform or currency. If the reward is exchanged for a tool/points from a game in a different environment, then marketplace can determine a market value price that is used to compare items which are being offered for exchange. 
     In various embodiments, a user  202  interacts with the cross platform reward exchange system  150  to buy and sell rewards from disparate gaming platforms having different reward systems. In various embodiments, the cross platform reward exchange system  150  executes on a hardware processor of a computer system  102 . In these and other embodiments, the user  202  may use a user device  204  to interact with the cross platform reward exchange system. 
     As used herein, a user device  204  refers to an information processing system such as a personal computer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a smart phone, a mobile telephone, or other device that is capable of communicating and processing data. In various embodiments, the user device is configured to present an entertainment user interface  240 . In various embodiments, the user device  204  is used to exchange information between the user  202 , one or more entertainment systems  250  (such as various gaming system platforms) and the cross platform reward exchange system  150  through the use of a network  140 . In various embodiments, each entertainment system  250  executes a respective video game. In certain embodiments, one or more disparate gaming platforms execute on the user device  204 . In certain embodiments, the network  140  may be a public network, such as the Internet, a physical private network, a wireless network, a virtual private network (VPN), or any combination thereof. Skilled practitioners of the art will recognize that many such embodiments are possible and the foregoing is not intended to limit the spirit, scope or intent of the invention. 
     In certain embodiments, the cross platform reward exchange system  150  includes a reward exchange module  210  which performs the reward exchange operation. In various embodiments, the cross platform reward exchange system  150  includes one or more of a reward valuation module  212 , a clearing house module  214  and an escrow module  216 . In various embodiments, the cross platform reward exchange environment  200  includes a storage repository  220 . The storage repository may be local to the system executing the cross platform reward exchange system  150  or may be executed remotely. In various embodiments, the storage repository includes one or more of a reward account repository  222 , a reward value repository  224  and an escrow data repository  226 . 
     In various embodiments, the user device  204  presents a cross platform reward exchange user interface  240 . In various embodiments, the cross platform reward exchange user interface provides access to one or more reward exchange options  242 . In various embodiments, a cross platform reward exchange user interface  240  may be presented via a website. In various embodiments, the website is provided by the cross platform reward exchange marketplace system  150 . In various embodiments, the user  202  may interact with the reward exchange options  242  to control or receive information from the cross platform reward exchange marketplace system  150 . 
     For the purposes of this disclosure a website may be defined as a collection of related web pages which are identified with a common domain name and is published on at least one web server. A website may be accessible via a public internet protocol (IP) network or a private local network. A web page is a document which is accessible via a browser which displays the web page via a display device of an information handling system. In various embodiments, the web page also includes the file which causes the document to be presented via the browser. In various embodiments, the web page may comprise a static web page which is delivered exactly as stored and a dynamic web page which is generated by a web application that is driven by software that enhances the web page via user input to a web server. 
     Many video game type entertainment systems include rewards systems where a user can earn rewards (often in the form of points) when the user meets certain conditions. The rewards may then be redeemed for various items within the video game. With certain games, the rewards are in the form of additional items, tools or characters which may be obtained when certain conditions are met. 
     In certain embodiments, the cross platform reward exchange system  150  performs a cross platform reward exchange marketplace operation. In certain embodiments, the cross platform reward trade marketplace operation enables a user or users of disparate entertainment platforms to perform transactions across the disparate entertainment platforms. In certain embodiments, the transaction can include exchange of rewards between different game systems. For example, rewards for a first game system could be used to purchase rewards for another game system. In various embodiments, the transaction can be performed in any of a plurality of exchanges. For example, the exchange can include an exchange of money, an exchange for other rewards from the same type of game and an exchange for rewards from another type of game. In certain embodiments, an item associated with a particular game can be auctioned. In certain embodiments, if the trade is performed across different gaming platforms, then the cross platform reward trade marketplace operation could set a price for both the parties so that an equal trade can occur. 
     The reward exchange marketplace operation allows users to trade their rewards or points for one game with another user&#39;s rewards or points from another game. Points could be traded with another player for money, other kinds of rewards in the same game or rewards from a different game. Such a reward exchange marketplace operation allows users who play multiple games to sell their rewards to other users. In certain embodiments, the rewards are set for auction, where other players bid and the seller selects a bid based upon the seller&#39;s preference. The bids can be in the form of money or other rewards. 
     Such a reward exchange marketplace operation may be provided as a service which could enable the service provider to receive a share of every rewards exchange transaction performed by the service provider. Additionally, with such a reward exchange marketplace operation, data from the transactions could enable a service provider to analyze data associated with the transactions to identify cross platform transaction trend data. Such cross platform transaction trend data could be monetized in a variety of ways. For example, the cross platform transaction trend data could be used to increase increasing advertising revenue, increase advertising effectiveness, provide analysis data to the organizations originating the transactions, etc. 
     In certain embodiments, the cross platform rewards exchange system  150  includes a cross platform reward valuation module  212 . The cross platform reward valuation module  212  values rewards for a plurality of disparate gaming platforms. Rewards may be valued based upon commonality of occurrence, difficulty in obtaining and geographic diversity. For example, certain rewards may occur infrequently within a particular game. Such a reward would have a higher valuation than a reward that occurs very frequently. Also, for example, certain rewards may be very difficult to obtain, either in terms of skill level necessary to obtain or time required to obtain. Such a reward would have a higher valuation than a reward that is easy to obtain, either in terms of skill level or time required. Also, for example, in an augmented reality type of game, a particular reward may only be available in certain locals, geographies or topographies. Such a reward might have a higher value in other locals, geographies or topographies. In certain embodiments, the cross platform reward valuation module  212  identifies market value for each reward for each disparate gaming platform. In various embodiments, market value is identified based on an analysis of completed auction value for the same or similar rewards as well as a gaming value for a particular reward within the particular gaming system. So if a game is popular and it is very difficult to obtain a particular reward within in the game, the market value price for the particular reward will be more. Rewards from less popular games or that are easier to obtain will be less. In certain embodiments, the market values for rewards across disparate gaming platforms are normalized to provide cross platform normalized market values. Having cross platform normalized values facilitate cross platform exchanges of rewards. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , a flow chart of a cross platform reward exchange operation  300  is shown. In general, the cross platform reward exchange operation  300  creates a globalized marketplace that is used as a platform to enable trading between and among different gaming systems. In various embodiments, the trading exchanges rewards such as gaming system tools and/or gaming system points. In certain embodiments, the trading includes auction based exchanges where a user can decide on a best bid for a particular reward or set of rewards and can exchange sell the reward or set of rewards with that user in response to receipt of the best bid. This trade or auction could be exchanged for a tool or item from a different gaming environment, different tools in the same gaming platform or currency. If the reward is exchanged for a tool or points from a game in a different environment, then marketplace can determine a market value price that is used to compare items which are being offered for exchange. 
     More specifically, the cross platform reward exchange operation beings at step  310  with a user accessing the reward exchange marketplace (which is provided by the cross platform reward exchange system  150 ) and either logging in to their reward exchange account or creating a new reward exchange account. The user is then associated with their reward exchange account via a reward exchange account identifier. Next at step  312 , the user associates some or all of their gaming accounts with their reward exchange account. Next at step  314 , the user identifies rewards to be loaded and loads the identified rewards from some or all of the gaming accounts to their reward exchange account. 
     Next, at step  320 , the user accesses the reward exchange marketplace and identifies an item for sale or purchase. The cross platform reward exchange operation determines whether the item is for sale at step  322 . If not, the cross platform reward exchange operation determines whether the item is for purchase at step  324 . 
     If at step  322 , the cross platform reward exchange operation determines the item is for sale, then the user provides the item to the reward exchange marketplace at step  330 . Next the user indicates whether the item for sale should be auctioned at step  332 . If yes, then the user sets a time for the auction to end at step  324 . The reward exchange marketplace monitors the auction and determines whether a bid is received at step  326 . The user is then notified of the bid at step  328 . If no bid is received within the predefined auction time, then the user is provided with an option of either increasing the auction end time or to sell the item without an auction component at step  329 . 
     If the reward exchange marketplace determines that a bid or bids were received at step  326 , then the user is provided with a market value for the item at step  340 . The user is then provided with an option of whether to accept a bid at step  342 . When the user accepts the bid, then the reward exchange marketplace performs a reward exchange operation at step  344 . During the reward exchange operation  344 , the item is provided to the person whose bid was accepted and the bid amount is transferred to the user. In certain embodiments, the marketplace exchange operation identifies a type of gaming account that is associated with the bid and transfers the bid amount directly to the gaming account of the user. Additionally, in certain embodiments, the marketplace exchange operation identifies a type of gaming account that is associated with the item being auctioned and transfers the item directly to the gaming account of the highest bidder. 
     If at step  332 , the cross platform reward exchange operation determines that the item for sale is not to be auctioned, then the seller is provided with a market value for the item at step  350 . The cross platform reward exchange operation then places the item for sale within the exchange marketplace at step  352  and monitors the item to determine whether any offers for purchase at received at step  354 . If there is an offer for purchase, the seller is notified at step  356 . The seller then indicates whether they accept the request at step  358 . If not, then the marketplace continues to monitor the item to determine whether any other offers for purchase are received. When the user accepts the offer, then the reward exchange marketplace performs a reward exchange operation at step  344 . During the reward exchange operation  344 , the item is provided to the person whose offer was accepted and the offer amount is transferred to the user. In certain embodiments, the marketplace exchange operation identifies a type of gaming account that is associated with the offer and transfers the offer amount directly to the gaming account of the user. Additionally, in certain embodiments, the marketplace exchange operation identifies a type of gaming account that is associated with the item being sold and transfers the item directly to the gaming account of the accepted offer. 
     When the cross platform reward exchange operation determines whether the item is for purchase at step  324 , a user is presented with a proposed market value of the item for purchase at step  360 . The proposed market value is a normalized market value for cross platform exchanges. The user can use this proposed market value to make an offer for the item at step  362 . The offer can be an offer for an exchange of rewards or an offer for purchase using money. Next, at step  364 , the cross platform reward exchange operation determines whether the offer was accepted by the seller of the item. If the offer is not accepted, then the cross platform reward exchange operation returns to step  320 . If the offer was accepted, then then the reward exchange marketplace performs a reward exchange operation at step  344 . During the reward exchange operation  344 , the item is provided to the purchaser whose offer was accepted and the offer amount is transferred to the seller of the item. In certain embodiments, the marketplace exchange operation identifies a type of gaming account that is associated with the offer and transfers the offer amount directly to the gaming account of the user. Additionally, in certain embodiments, the marketplace exchange operation identifies a type of gaming account that is associated with the item being sold and transfers the item directly to the gaming account of the accepted offer. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , a flow chart of a cross platform reward exchange purchase operation  400  is shown. More specifically, the cross platform reward exchange purchase operation beings at step  410  with a user requesting to use their rewards from their gaming account to purchase an item. Next at step  420 , a secure request is provided to the cross platform reward exchange system  150  indicating the request to user their rewards. In certain embodiments, the secure request may be via a Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS) message generated by the user device  204  and provided to the cross platform reward exchange system  150 . Next at step  422 , the cross platform reward exchange system  150  places a hold on the rewards of the user associated with the purchase request. The request is then provided to a clearing house module  214  of the cross platform reward exchange system  150  at step  430 . The clearing house module  214  is associated with each user&#39;s reward exchange account. In certain embodiments, the association is performed when a user registers with the cross platform reward exchange system  150 . The clearing house module  214  performs a reward escrow operation. The reward escrow operation prevents double spending of rewards and updates a user&#39;s reward exchange account when a purchase is initiated. Next at step  432 , the cross platform reward exchange system  150  accesses the purchaser&#39;s reward exchange account and determines whether the purchaser has a sufficient reward balance to complete the requested purchase at step  434 . If not, then the cross platform reward exchange system  150  so notifies the purchaser at step  436 . In certain embodiments, the notification is via a HTTPS message to the purchaser. 
     If so, then the purchaser&#39;s reward exchange account is updated to reflect the purchase at step  440 . Also, in certain embodiments, the clearing house module  214  releases the escrowed rewards to finalize the reward escrow operation. In certain embodiments, a secure request is sent to the clearing house module  214  to deduct the rewards from the gaming platform from which the reward originated and an updated reward value is provided to the gaming platform to reflect the deducted rewards. Next, the cross platform reward exchange system  150  notifies the purchaser of a successful purchase at step  450 . In certain embodiments, the notification is via a HTTPS message to the purchaser. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , a flow chart of a cross platform reward exchange purchase escrow operation  500  is shown. In certain embodiments, it may be desirable to provide enhanced trust around a cross platform reward exchange operation. In such cases, the cross platform reward exchange system  150  can implement a cross platform reward exchange purchase escrow operation which is integrated with the cross platform reward exchange purchase system. In certain embodiments, the cross platform reward exchange purchase escrow operation may be implemented via an integrated escrow module  214 . 
     The cross platform reward exchange purchase escrow operation  500  starts at step  510  when a user requests to use their rewards from their reward exchange account. Next, at step  520 , the cross platform reward exchange purchase system  150  accesses the integrated escrow module  216  and requests updated values and refreshes an in-build system to check for deduction of rewards. The in-build system works like an exchange place such as barter system where deduction of rewards or money is made upon purchase of a reward within the cross platform exchange purchase system. The cross platform reward exchange purchase system  150  then determines whether a user&#39;s reward exchange account has enough rewards to cover the user request at step  530 . If not, then the cross platform reward exchange purchase system  150  provides a message to the user that there are insufficient rewards to accomplish the request at step  540 . If so, then at step  550 , the cross platform reward exchange purchase system  150  updates and holds a value of the requested rewards within the integrated escrow module  216 . The cross platform reward exchange purchase system  150  then sends a request to the gaming platform associated with the escrowed rewards to update the value of the rewards within the gaming platform at step  560 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6A and 6B , a flow chart of a cross platform reward exchange purchase auction operation  600  is shown. More specifically, the cross platform reward exchange purchase auction operation  600  beings at step  610  with a user requesting to use their rewards from their gaming account to purchase an item. Next at step  620 , a secure request is provided to the cross platform reward exchange system  150  indicating the request to use their rewards. In certain embodiments, the secure request may be via a HTTPS message generated by the user device  204  and provided to the cross platform reward exchange system  150 . Next at step  622 , the cross platform reward exchange system  150  places a hold on the rewards of the user associated with the purchase request. The request is then provided to a clearing house module  216  of the cross platform reward exchange system  150  at step  630 . The clearing house module  216  is associated with each user&#39;s reward exchange account. In certain embodiments, the association is performed when a user registers with the cross platform reward exchange system  150 . The clearing house module  216  performs a reward escrow operation. The reward escrow operation prevents double spending of rewards and updates a user&#39;s reward exchange account when a purchase is initiated. Next at step  632 , the cross platform reward exchange system  150  accesses the purchaser&#39;s reward exchange account to determine whether the purchaser has a sufficient reward balance to complete the requested purchase. If not, then the cross platform reward exchange system  150  so notifies the purchaser. In certain embodiments, the notification is via a HTTPS message to the purchaser at step  634 . If so, then the purchaser&#39;s reward exchange account is updated to reflect the purchase at step  640 . 
     Next, at step  650 , the cross platform reward exchange system  150  determines whether the requested item has been placed on auction. If not, then the item may be purchased immediately by the user at step  652 . In certain embodiments, when completing the purchase, the clearing house module  216  releases the escrowed rewards to finalize the reward escrow operation. In certain embodiments, a secure request is sent to the clearing house module  216  to deduct the rewards from the gaming platform from which the reward originated and an updated reward value is provided to the gaming platform to reflect the deducted rewards. Next, the cross platform reward exchange system  150  notifies the purchaser of a successful purchase. In certain embodiments, the notification is via a HTTPS message to the purchaser. 
     If the requested item has been placed on auction, then the user places a bid for the item at step  660 . A hold is placed on the rewards contained within the clearing house module corresponding to the bid amount at step  662 . Next, at step  670 , the cross platform reward exchange system  150  determines whether the bid was accepted by the seller. If not, a secure message is sent to the user indicating that the offer was rejected at step  672  and the held rewards are released. In certain embodiments, the secure message may be a HTTPS message. If the bid was accepted, then a secure message is sent to the clearing house indicating that the offer was confirmed at step  680 . Next, the purchaser&#39;s reward exchange account is updated to reflect the purchase at step  682 . Also, in certain embodiments, the clearing house module  216  releases the escrowed rewards to finalize the reward escrow operation. In certain embodiments, a secure request is sent to the clearing house module  216  to deduct the rewards from the gaming platform from which the reward originated and an updated reward value is provided to the gaming platform to reflect the deducted rewards. Next, the cross platform reward exchange system  150  notifies the purchaser of a successful auction purchase at step  690  and the operation completes. In certain embodiments, the notification is via a HTTPS message to the purchaser. 
     Although the present invention has been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made hereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.