Patent ID: 7912782

Claim:
An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and memory, the memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, direct the at least one processor to: receive a first order for an instrument, and a first indicator, from a first computer system, wherein the first indicator indicates that the first order is one of a real order or a test order, wherein the first order is a real order, and wherein the first order specifies a first quantity of the instrument and a first price; receive a second order for the instrument, and a second indicator, from a second computer system, wherein the second indicator indicates that the second order is one of a real order or a test order, wherein the second order is a real order, and wherein the second order specifies a second quantity of the instrument and a second price; wherein a test order cannot bind an originator of the test order to tender money or the instrument as specified in the test order; match the first order with at least the second order; determine, based at least in part on the first indicator, whether the first order is a test order or a real order, wherein determining whether the first order is a test order or a real order comprises: determining that the first order is a real order; determine, based at least in part on the second indicator, whether the second order is a test order or a real order, wherein determining whether the second order is a test order or a real order comprises: determining that the second order is a real order; execute the first order, wherein executing the first order comprises: reducing the first quantity of the instrument; execute the second order, wherein executing the second order comprises: reducing the second quantity of the instrument; transact the first order and the second order such that an originator of the first order and an originator of the second order are bound to tender money or the instrument to one another; receive a third order for the instrument, and a third indicator, from a third computer system, wherein the third indicator indicates that the third order is one of a real order or a test order, wherein the third order is a test order, and wherein the third order specifies a third quantity of the instrument and a third price; and determine, based at least in part on the third indicator, whether the third order is a test order or a real order, wherein determining whether the third order is a test order or a real order comprises: determining that the third order is a test order.