Patent ID: 7653588

Claim:
A computer implemented method of allocating orders for the purchase or sale of securities or derivatives in an exchange configured for trading securities or derivatives, the method comprising: receiving an electronic order for a security or derivative at an electronic trade engine in a server of the exchange, wherein the exchange comprises a price for the security or derivative different than a national best bid or offer price such that the electronic order is not marketable at the exchange upon receipt; in response to receiving the electronic order, a trade processor in the trade engine at the exchange flashing the electronic order to a plurality of eligible market participants, wherein the plurality of eligible participants is less than a total number of market participants in communication with the electronic trade engine; routing the electronic order in its entirety to an away market when the trade processor fails to receive a price from at least one eligible market participant for the electronic order that is equal to or better than the national best bid or offer price within a predetermined period of time after flashing the electronic order; and when, in response to the flashing of the electronic order, an improved price is received at the trade processor from at least one of the plurality of eligible market participants within the predetermined time period, wherein the improved price is equal to or better than the national best bid or offer price, the trade processor: matching and allocating at least a portion of the electronic order at the improved price against each of the eligible market participants from whom the improved price was received, wherein the improved price is not included as part of a disseminated quote at the exchange; routing any remaining portion of the electronic order to an electronic book configured for storing orders received by the electronic trade engine when the exchange price is equal to or better than the national best bid or offer price; and routing any remaining portion of the electronic order to an away market when the exchange price is worse than the national best bid or offer price.