Patent ID: 7707118

Claim:
A computerized method for processing escrow transactions comprising the following steps: a) Receiving first information from a first party into a processor wherein first information contains at least in part data identifying escrow, identifying a second party, specifying a deadline, defining all conditions for a release of said escrow, and specifying at least one of said conditions as a condition that said processor will not fully disclose to said second party unless said processor makes a determination that all of said conditions have been satisfied; b) Providing said second party with an opportunity, up to said deadline, to make a confidential presentation of second information to said processor; c) Upon receiving second information prior to said deadline, processing first and second information and determining third information as a function of first and second information wherein third information includes at least in part a determination of whether second information satisfies all of said conditions; d) Where third information includes a determination that second information satisfies all of said conditions, allowing first party and second party to access third information; e) Where third information includes a determination that second information does not satisfy all of said conditions, allowing second party to access third information and, up to said deadline, to make a confidential presentation of alternative second information into said processor; f) On each occasion when second information is presented to said processor prior to said deadline and said second information does not result in a determination that all of said conditions have been satisfied, repeating the steps described at subparagraphs (b) through (e) above; g) whereby a party that is willing and able to cause the delivery of certain consideration in exchange for the delivery of certain other consideration may obtain a determination as to whether another party is willing and able to cause said exchange to take place, without having to first enter into an interim agreement with, or signify any willingness to negotiate or compromise with, or make full disclosures to, said other party concerning the consideration that is being sought or, in the alternative, offered as part of said exchange.