Patent ID: 8527331

Claim:
A computer based value exchange system, the value exchange system exchanging points from a first point system to second point system after receiving a request from a user having points in the first point system and desiring points in the second point system, the first point system being maintained by a first entity allocating points redeemable for merchandise or service being available for purchase from the first entity and the second point system being maintained by a second entity allocating points redeemable for merchandise or service being available for purchase from the second entity, the computer based value exchange system comprising: a broker computer coupled to the Internet and an automatic clearing house computer coupled to the Internet, wherein the automatic clearing house computer is functionally coupled to the broker computer, an account server of the first entity and an account server of the second entity and is configured to track payment transactions between the first entity and the second entity, and wherein the broker computer interfaces with the automatic clearing house computer to make and receive payments from the first entity and the second entity, wherein the broker computer is programmed to: receive a request from a user for an exchange of a number of points from the first point system to the second point system; determine an exchange ratio for exchanging points from the first point system with points from the second point system; send a sell request for the sale of points in the first point system to the account server of the first entity; receive an acknowledgement from the automatic clearing house computer that a broker's account has been credited; send a buy request for the purchase of points in the second point system o the account server of the second entity; and cause transfer of points in the first point system from the user and cause transfer of points in the second point system to the user, and wherein the automatic clearing house computer is programmed to: maintain a points account for the broker computer; receive a credit request from the account server of the first entity; credit the broker's account for the selling price of user's points from the first point system; send an acknowledgement to the broker computer that the broker's account has been credited; receive a debit request from the account server of the second entity; and debit the broker's account for the purchase price of the points from the second point system, and wherein the points in the second point system transferred to the user are capable of being redeemed for the merchandise or service being available for purchase from the second entity.