Patent Publication Number: US-8532565-B2

Title: Transparent commodity trading networks and methods of facilitating transactions among buyers and sellers of products and services

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/650,012, filed Jan. 5, 2007, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,907,892 the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to commerce and, more particularly, to the promotion of commerce. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The Internet has evolved into a viable commercial medium where buyers and sellers of goods and services can engage in various types of commerce. Various on-line “want-ad” services exist, such as Craig&#39;s List, where buyers list what they are looking for and sellers list what they wish to sell. Unfortunately, many potential buyers and sellers don&#39;t participate in the various on-line want ad services. In addition, there has been a great proliferation of commerce-oriented web sites that offer various products and services. Unfortunately, even with current search engines, it can be difficult for potential customers to find out about such web sites and the products and/or services they offer. As such, there is a need for more efficient and effective ways of passing information among potential buyers and sellers of products and/or services and for reaching more potential buyers and sellers. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to some embodiments of the present invention, transparent commodity trading networks are provided that facilitate transactions among potential buyers and sellers of products/services. A plurality of mobile communications devices are each configured to broadcast product/service needs and/or product/service offerings of a party associated with the respective mobile communications device (i.e., the party in possession of the mobile communications device). In addition, each mobile communications device is configured to receive product/service needs and/or product/service offerings broadcast by other mobile communications devices when respective mobile communications devices pass within a predetermined distance of each other. In addition, each mobile communications device is configured to identify when a product/service need or product/service offering broadcast by another mobile communications device matches a corresponding product/service offering or broadcast product/service need broadcast by the respective mobile communications device. A transaction service that is accessible by each mobile communications device is configured to allow two parties that have a matching broadcast product/service need and offering to identify and communicate with each other. 
     According to some embodiments of the present invention, a mobile communications device can serve as an intermediary (“mule”) that carries a broadcasted need and/or offering of another party associated with another mobile communications device. For example, as a mobile communications device passes by other devices, it receives and stores broadcasts received from these other devices. The mobile communications device is configured to identify when there is a match among product/service needs and offerings of other parties. When a match is identified, the matching parties are notified and then identify and communicate with each other via a transaction service. 
     According to some embodiments of the present invention, the system may include one or more stationary communications devices that are configured to broadcast product/service needs of respective parties associated with the stationary communications devices. Mobile communications devices are configured to receive the product/service needs and/or offers broadcast by stationary communications devices when passing within a predetermined distance thereof, and are configured to identify when broadcast product/service needs and/or offers match product/service offerings and/or needs of parties associated with the mobile communications devices. 
     According to some embodiments of the present invention, a transaction service of a transparent commodity trading network is configured to collect and analyze information associated with transactions between parties. 
     According to some embodiments of the present invention, a transaction service of a transparent commodity trading network is configured to provide ratings of products/services associated with transactions between parties. 
     According to some embodiments of the present invention, a transaction service of a transparent commodity trading network is configured to allocate a percentage of a transaction value to a party associated with a mobile communications device that serves as a mule. In addition, a transaction service may be configured to accrue currency for a party associated with a mobile communications device that serves as a mule. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which form a part of the specification, illustrate key embodiments of the present invention. The drawings and description together serve to fully explain the invention. 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a system that facilitates transactions among parties, according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 2-3  are flow charts that illustrate exemplary operations for facilitating transactions among parties, according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a transparent commodity trading network, according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a transparent commodity trading network, according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
     While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims. Like reference numbers signify like elements throughout the description of the figures. 
     As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless expressly stated otherwise. It should be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising” when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements; components, and/or groups thereof. It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected” or “coupled” to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. Furthermore, “connected” or “coupled” as used herein may include wirelessly connected or coupled. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. 
     Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. 
     The present invention may be embodied as systems, methods, and/or computer program products. Accordingly, the present invention may be embodied in hardware and/or in software (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.). Furthermore, the present invention may take the form of a computer program product on a computer-usable or computer-readable storage medium having computer-usable or computer-readable program code embodied in the medium for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system. In the context of this document, a computer-usable or computer-readable medium may be any medium that can contain, store, communicate, propagate, or transport the program for use by or in connection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. 
     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, device, or propagation medium. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer-readable medium would include the following: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber, and a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM). Note that the computer-usable or computer-readable medium could even be paper or another suitable medium upon which the program is printed, as the program can be electronically captured, via, for instance, optical scanning of the paper or other medium, then compiled, interpreted, or otherwise processed in a suitable manner, if necessary, and then stored in a computer memory. 
     Computer program code for carrying out operations of data processing systems discussed herein may be written in a high-level programming language, such as Java, AJAX, C, and/or C++, for development convenience. In addition, computer program code for carrying out operations of embodiments of the present invention may also be written in other programming languages, such as, but not limited to, interpreted languages. Some modules or routines may be written in assembly language or even micro-code to enhance performance and/or memory usage. Embodiments of the present invention are not limited to a particular programming language. It will be further appreciated that the functionality of any or all of the program modules may also be implemented using discrete hardware components, one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or a programmed digital signal processor or microcontroller. 
     The present invention is described herein with reference to flowchart and/or block diagram illustrations of methods, systems, and computer program products in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the invention. These flowchart and/or block diagrams further illustrate exemplary operations for facilitating transactions among parties, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart and/or block diagram illustrations, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart and/or block diagram illustrations, may be implemented by computer program instructions and/or hardware operations. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, a 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 and/or circuits for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. 
     These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer usable or computer-readable memory that may direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer usable or computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture including instructions that implement the function 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 that execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide steps for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a system  10  that facilitates transactions among parties carrying mobile communications devices, according to some embodiments of the present invention. The system  10  includes a plurality of mobile communications devices  12  that are each capable of broadcasting and receiving messages over a localized or wide geographic area. These mobile communications devices  12  may be connected to a communications network  11  (e.g., the Internet, an intranet, telecommunications network, etc.). Mobile communications devices  12  can be configured to broadcast within a range of distances. For example, a mobile communications device  12  may be configured to broadcast product/service needs and product/service offerings up to a radius of about thirty (30) feet from the mobile communications device  12 . Thus, two mobile communications devices  12  that pass within a predetermined radius of each other each receive messages broadcast by the other, as described herein. 
     Mobile communications devices  12 , according to some embodiments of the present invention, may broadcast and receive messages on a continuous or intermittent basis. Mobile communications devices  12 , according to some embodiments of the present invention, may broadcast and receive messages only upon sensing that another mobile communications device is within a predetermined range. For example, a mobile communications device may be configured to broadcast a message when it senses the presence of another mobile communications device that is configured to receive the message. A party associated with a mobile communications device may also be able to selectively activate and/or deactivate message broadcasting and receiving of a mobile communications device  12 . 
     Each mobile communications device  12  may be, for example, a cellular telephone, a PDA, an internet protocol or other packet switched wireless communications device, a Bluetooth or WiMax enabled device, an RFID device, a combination thereof, or any of a wide variety of other communications systems. Mobile communications devices, according to some embodiments of the present invention, may be mounted in mobile objects, such as automobiles, trucks, aircraft, trains, buses, bicycles, boats, etc. Mobile communications devices, according to some embodiments of the present invention, may be chips carried by people and/or embedded within people and/or objects transported by people. 
     In some embodiments, each mobile communications device can directly communicate with all of the other mobile communications devices  12  of the system. In other embodiments, some mobile communications devices  12  may only have indirect communications ability. By way of example, a mobile communications device  12  mounted in an automobile might include a communications unit that is implemented as a Bluetooth transceiver. This Bluetooth transceiver could then interface with other mobile communications devices  12  and/or a system hub via a Bluetooth connection to a cellular telephone of one of the occupants of the automobile, and a cellular connection from that cellular telephone to a system hub. 
     It will also be appreciated that a mobile communications device  12  may encrypt data prior to broadcasting in order to protect the integrity of the system  10 . Each mobile communications device  12  may also have authentication functionality so that other mobile communications devices  12  can confirm that they are receiving broadcast messages from valid parties of the system  10 . 
     Each mobile communications device  12  is configured to broadcast product/service needs and/or product/service offerings of a party associated with the respective mobile communications device. Each mobile communications device  12  is configured to receive product/service needs and product/service offerings broadcast by other mobile communications devices when within a predetermined distance thereof, and each mobile communications device  12  is configured to identify when a product/service need or product/service offering broadcast by another mobile communications device matches a corresponding product/service offering or broadcast product/service need broadcast by the respective mobile communications device  12 . 
     The illustrated system  10  also includes a transaction service  14  that is accessible by each mobile communications device  12  and that is configured to allow two parties that have a matching broadcast product/service need and offering to identify and communicate with each other. The transaction service  14  may be an internet-based service and may be implemented by a telecommunications service provider, for example. The transaction service  14  is configured to communicate with the mobile communications devices  12  in any of various ways including, but not limited to, cellular telephone communications, interne protocol or other packet switched wireless communications, etc. There may be numerous transaction services, according to embodiments of the present invention. 
     According to some embodiments of the present invention, when a first mobile communications device  12   a  passes within a predetermined distance of a second mobile communications device  12   b  and identifies that there is a match among a product/service need or offering broadcast by a second mobile communications device  12   b  and a product/service need or offering of a party associated with the first mobile communications device  12   a , the first mobile communications device  12   a  contacts the transaction service  14  to obtain information regarding how to contact the party of the second mobile communications device  12   b . The second mobile communications device  12   b  may also contact the transaction service  14 . 
     According to some embodiments of the present invention, a transaction service  14  may not be required. For example, broadcast product/service needs and offerings may identify how to contact the broadcasting party. For example, when a first mobile communications device  12   a  identifies that there is a match among a product/service need or offering broadcast by a second mobile communications device  12   b  and a product/service need or offering of a party associated with the first mobile communications device  12   a , the first mobile communications device  12   a  may utilize information contained within the message broadcast by the second mobile communications device  12   b  to directly contact the party of the second mobile communications device  12   b.    
     According to some embodiments of the present invention, one or more of the mobile communications devices  12  may be configured to serve as an intermediary or “mule” that carries a previously broadcasted need and/or offering of another party associated with another mobile communications device  12 . For example, a first mobile communications device  12   a  may pass within a predetermined range of a second mobile communications device and receive a broadcast need and/or offering of a party associated with the second mobile communications device  12   b . The first mobile communications device  12   a  retains this information and is configured to identify when a product/service need or product/service offering broadcast by the second mobile communications device matches a corresponding product/service offering or broadcast product/service need broadcast by another mobile communications device  12 . For example, the first mobile communications device passes within a predetermined range of a third mobile communications device  12   c  and receives a broadcast need and/or offering of a party associated with the third mobile communications device  12   c  that matches the need and/or offering of the party associated with the second mobile communications device  12   b . The first mobile communications device  12   a  is configured to notify either or both of the second and third mobile communications devices  12   b ,  12   c  of the match. Alternatively, or in addition thereto, the first mobile communications device  12   a  may be configured to notify the transaction service  14  of the match. The transaction service  14  may then communicate with the second and third mobile communications devices  12   b ,  12   c  to facilitate a transaction. 
     As used herein, the term “mule” includes both a communication device that carries a previously broadcasted need and/or offering of another party associated with another mobile communications device  12  and the person that carries the communication device. Thus, reference to a mule is intended to include both a person and a communications device of the person that serves the function of a mule as described herein. 
     According to some embodiments of the present invention, the transaction service  14  may be configured to allocate a percentage of a transaction value to a party associated with a mobile communications device  12  that serves as an intermediary that carries a broadcasted need and/or offering that results in a consummated transaction among other parties. For example, in the scenario described above, the first mobile communications device  12   a  served as an intermediary and identified a match among the product/service need or product/service offering broadcast by the second and third mobile communications devices  12   b ,  12   c . The transaction service  14  may award the party associated with the first mobile communications device  12   a  a “finder&#39;s fee” which may be a percentage of the transaction value or some other amount. Alternatively, the transaction service  14  may award the party associated with the first mobile communications device  12   a  a non-monetary award. According to other embodiments of the present invention, one or both of the parties associated with the second and third mobile communications devices may award the party associated with the first mobile communications device  12   a  a “finder&#39;s fee” or some other non-monetary award. For example, if no transaction service is utilized, payment of some kind to a mule likely will be necessary to provide an incentive for matching buyers and sellers. Payment need not be in the form of a percentage of a transaction value (i.e., a monetary payment), but may be in the form of a non-monetary payment (e.g., discounts on goods and services, etc.). 
     According to some embodiments of the present invention, the transaction service  14  may be configured to vary the amount of a “finder&#39;s fee” over time. For example, if a mobile communications device  12  identifies a match of product/service needs and offerings broadcast by two other mobile communications devices  12 , but the match is identified, for example, thirty days after the first broadcast was received, the finder&#39;s fee may be less than if the match was identified within ten days of when the first broadcast was received. In other words, the transaction service  14  may decrease, or otherwise vary, an award over time. Thus, award values to mules may decay over time. 
     According to some embodiments of the present invention, the system  10  may include one or more stationary communications devices (i.e., communications devices mounted on stationary objects)  16  that serve the function of “passive mules” and that are configured to broadcast product/service needs of respective parties associated with the stationary communications devices. Exemplary stationary objects that may include communications devices configured to broadcast product/service needs and/or offerings may include, but are not limited to, signs, light posts, telephone poles, buildings, homes, etc. Moreover, stationary communications devices  16  configured to broadcast product/service needs and/or offerings can be positioned adjacent to and/or within stores, offices, restaurants, museums, parks, etc. Mobile communications devices  12  are configured to receive the product/service needs and/or offers broadcast by stationary communications devices  16  when passing within a predetermined distance thereof, and are configured to identify when broadcast product/service needs and/or offers match product/service offerings and/or needs of parties associated with the mobile communications devices  12 . Stationary communications devices  16  can be configured to broadcast out to various distances. For example, a stationary communications device may be configured to broadcast product/service needs and product/service offerings up to a radius of about one hundred fifty (150) feet from the stationary communications device  16 . 
     According to embodiments of the present invention, mules may pass by a stationary communications device  16  and convey product/service needs of respective parties associated with the stationary communications device  16  to others located wherever the mules travel. 
     According to a particular embodiment of the present invention, a real estate sign positioned adjacent to a property for sale may be equipped with a communications device configured to broadcast information about the property. A mobile communications device  12  may be configured to receive the information broadcast by a communications device attached to the sign. A mobile communications device  12  may also be configured to communicate with the communications device attached to the sign and obtain additional information. A transaction service  14  may serve the function of a real estate brokerage. For example, if a party associated with a mobile communications device  12  is interested in the property for sale based upon broadcast information received by the party&#39;s mobile communications device, the party contacts the transaction service  14  to pursue making a purchase offer on the property, etc. 
     The communications device associated with the real estate sign may be configured to gather data from people passing by the real estate sign. For example, the communications device associated with the real estate sign may gather information about what type of house people are looking for, what price range of house people are looking for, what size of house people are looking for, what type of neighborhood schools people are looking for, etc. As such buyer demographic data can be accrued by the communications device associated with the real estate sign which can be beneficial to the real estate broker, as well as to others. Moreover, collected data can be leveraged (i.e., sold, leased to third parties, etc.). 
     Exemplary operations for facilitating transactions among parties, according to some embodiments of the present invention, will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 2-3 . Referring initially to  FIG. 2 , a product/service need or offering of a first party is broadcast via a mobile communications device associated with the first party (Block  100 ). The broadcast product/service need or offering is received by a second communications device associated with a second party when the first and second devices are within a predetermined distance of each other (Block  110 ). A determination is made whether the broadcast product/service need or offering of the first party matches a corresponding product/service offering or need of the second party (Block  120 ). If the answer is yes (Block  130 ) the first and second parties identify and communicate with each other via a transaction service that is accessible by the mobile communications devices (Block  140 ). If the answer is no (Block  130 ), operations end; however, the second mobile communications device continues to monitor and receive broadcasts from other devices that it passes within a predetermined distance thereof. 
     According to other embodiments illustrated in  FIG. 3 , a product/service need or offering of a first party is broadcast via a mobile communications device associated with the first party (Block  200 ). The broadcast product/service need or offering is received by a second communications device associated with a second party when the first and second devices are within a predetermined distance of each other (Block  210 ). The second communications device receives a broadcast product/service need or offering from a third communications device associated with a third party when the second and third devices are within a predetermined distance of each other (Block  220 ). A determination is made whether the broadcast product/service need or offering of the first party matches a corresponding product/service offering or need of the third party (Block  230 ). If the answer is yes (Block  240 ) the first and third parties identify and communicate with each other via a transaction service that is accessible by the mobile communications devices (Block  250 ). If the answer is no (Block  240 ), operations end; however, the second mobile communications device continues to monitor and receive broadcasts from other devices that it passes within a predetermined distance thereof. 
     Embodiments of the present invention facilitate the implementation of transparent commodity trading networks and viral marketing. Via communications device broadcasts, some individuals effectively have “clouds” of products/services for sale surrounding them and some individuals effectively have clouds of wants and/or needs surrounding them. When clouds of products/services and wants/needs attract each other, a transaction can take place. As known to those skilled in the art of the present invention, viral marketing includes marketing techniques that induce consumers to pass on a marketing message to other consumers, creating a potentially exponential growth in the message&#39;s visibility and effect. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , a transparent commodity trading network according to some embodiments of the present invention is illustrated. In  FIG. 4 , buyer # 1  ( 300 ) is broadcasting what product and/or service he/she wants to buy (e.g., the buyer may be interested in buying a toolbox) via a mobile communications device (not shown) as described above. Buyer # 1  ( 300 ) broadcasts a data structure  302  that includes information about who the buyer is, what the buyer wants, when the buyer wants it (e.g., there may be a deadline by which the buyer needs to purchase an item/service, etc.), how the buyer wants to acquire it, how much the buyer wants to pay for it, how to contact the buyer, availability (dates), form of payment, etc. Data structure  302  most probably would be anonymized, for example via use of a MAC (media access control) address. However, it is not required that data structures be anonymized according to embodiments of the present invention. As known to those skilled in the art of the present invention, a MAC address is a device&#39;s unique hardware number. 
     Another person serving the function of an intermediary or mule  304  comes within proximity of buyer # 1  ( 300 ), as illustrated. The mule  304  may also be broadcasting, via a communications device (not shown), a data structure related to wants/needs that the mule  304  has or that others have, or products/services that the mule  304  wants to sell or that others have to sell. The mule  304  receives the data structure  302  from buyer # 1  ( 300 ) and relays this data structure to seller # 1  ( 306 ) who has a toolbox for sale. Note that additional mules may participate in the relay of data structure  302  to seller # 1  ( 306 ). For example, in the illustrated embodiment, a second mule  308  receives the data structure  302  from mule  304  and relays the data structure  302  to seller # 1  ( 306 ). Mules, according to embodiments of the present invention, may not even be aware that they are carrying data structures of buyers and sellers. For example, mules  304  and  308  may not be aware that they facilitated the relay of data structure  302  from buyer # 1  ( 300 ) to seller # 1  ( 306 ). 
     Seller # 1  ( 306 ), using information contained in the received data structure  302 , contacts service device  310  to complete a transaction with buyer # 1  (i.e., to sell a toolbox to buyer # 1 ). Service device  310  serves the function of the transaction service described above with respect to  FIG. 1  (i.e., transaction service  14 ). Service device  310  acts as a broker and handles the mechanics of transactions between buyers and sellers. 
     Mules, according to embodiments of the present invention, may be bi-directional. In other words, a mule may carry the data structures of both sellers and buyers. For example, mules  304  and  308  may carry data structures from both buyer # 1  ( 300 ) and seller # 1  ( 306 ), as well as from other buyers and sellers. However, there may be embodiments of the present invention wherein a mule is configured to only carry data structures of buyers or sellers. 
     Mules may be particularly effective in small communities of buyers and sellers and/or when in close proximity of buyers and sellers such as, for example, on subways, in airports, at events with lots of people (e.g., sporting events), etc. As another example, a mule may visit a grocery store and obtain data structures for items on sale at the grocery store. When the mule returns to his/her neighborhood, the mule broadcasts these data structures to neighbors and receives broadcasts of needs from the neighbors. For example, a grocery store may be having a sale on bananas and the mule may learn that a neighbor has a need for bananas. As such, the mule conveys the information of the banana sale to the neighbor such that he/she can visit the grocery store and purchase bananas. 
     According to embodiments of the present invention, mules  304  and  308  may receive commissions for participating in the relay of data structure  302  from buyer # 1  ( 300 ) to seller # 1  ( 306 ). Mules, according to some embodiments of the present invention, may also accrue currency/commissions over a period of time. For example, a mule may be carrying around multiple data structures of buyers and sellers and when a transaction between a buyer and a seller occurs, the mule earns a commission. This may occur without the mule ever knowing that he/she is carrying the data structures and without ever knowing that a transaction between a buyer and a seller has occurred. Earned commissions may be allowed to accrue for a predetermined period of time prior to actually paying a mule. 
     According to some embodiments of the present invention, mules may be paid in non-monetary ways. For example, a mule may receive discounts from certain sellers for facilitating transactions with buyers. Discounts may be available for predetermined periods of time. A mule may receive frequent flyer miles from an airline to be used within a period time, discounts from retailers to be used within a period of time, etc. A mule may receive discounts that are limited to a particular geographical area, for example. 
     According to some embodiments of the present invention, mules may be configured to complete a transaction between buyers and sellers. For example, a mule may be carrying a data structure of a buyer that indicates that the buyer wants to buy a pair of running shoes. If the mule detects a seller selling the particular running shoes at conditions that satisfy the buyer, the mule may be configured to purchase the running shoes and deliver them to the buyer. For example, in the embodiment of  FIG. 4 , mule  304  may be configured to purchase a toolbox from seller # 1  ( 306 ) and deliver the toolbox to buyer # 1  ( 300 ), who then repays the mule  304  and likely pays the mule  304  a commission for his/her effort. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , transparent commodity trading network according to some embodiments of the present invention is illustrated. A broker service  400  is illustrated that, in addition to facilitating transactions between buyers and sellers as described above, implements various additional features. In  FIG. 5 , buyer # 2  ( 402 ) and seller # 2  ( 406 ) complete a transaction via a mule  404  and broker service  400  (which serves the function of transaction service  14 , as described above). The broker service  400  is also configured to accrue information about buyers and sellers. For example, the broker service maintains a database  408  of demographic and other types of data associated with buyers and sellers. The broker service  400  may also perform various analytical analyses on collected data in the database  408 . Analytic information as well as data can be provided to buyers, sellers, and/or other third parties for free or for a price. For example, third parties may subscribe to an information service that the broker service  400  offers, etc. 
     In a residential real estate environment, broker service  400  may collect demographic data associated with buyers and sellers of residential real estate. Exemplary information collected by the broker service  400  may include information about what type of house people are looking for, what price range of house people are looking for, what size of house people are looking for, what type of neighborhood schools people are looking for, etc. As such buyer demographic data can be accrued by the broker service  400 , which can be beneficial to real estate brokers, other service providers, etc. 
     Broker service  400  may also provide ratings of products/services bought and sold via buyers and sellers. For example, broker service  400  may be configured to collect information from buyers as to quality and price of products and services from various sellers and make this information available to others (e.g., either free or for a price). Broker service  400  may also be configured to monitor and maintain information about the accuracy of information passed between buyers and sellers. Broker service, may thus serve the function of preventing or at least reducing fraud in transactions. Third parties may also subscribe to the broker service  400  to obtain ratings information regarding various sellers and/or buyers and the products/services of sellers. As such, broker service  400  can leverage information collected thereby, etc. 
     Broker service  400  may also facilitate the distribution of discounts and other types of benefits between sellers and buyers. (Broker service  400  itself may receive incentives from third parties for facilitating transactions between buyers and sellers). For example, broker service  400  may facilitate transactions between an airline and buyers of airline tickets. Broker service  400  may facilitate distribution/allocation of frequent flyer miles to various buyers. As another example, broker service  400  may facilitate transactions between retailers and buyers. Broker service  400  may facilitate distribution/allocation of discounts to various buyers. 
     Broker service  400  may also facilitate the accrual and distribution of payments to mules who relay data structures between buyers and sellers, as described above. Broker service  400  may be configured to modify the accrual of payments according to time. As described above, the value of facilitating a transaction between buyers and sellers may decay over time. Broker service  400  may be configured to adjust payments to mules based on such time requirements. 
       FIGS. 1-5  illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operations of some embodiments of transparent commodity trading networks and methods for facilitating transactions among parties. In this regard, each block represents a module, segment, or portion of code, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be noted that in other implementations, the function(s) noted in the blocks may occur out of the order noted in  FIGS. 2-3 . For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending on the functionality involved. 
     Many variations and modifications can be made to the preferred embodiments without substantially departing from the principles of the present invention. All such variations and modifications are intended to be included herein within the scope of the present invention, as set forth in the following claims.