Importance

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Abstract

A system and method for controlling the transfer of commodities stored in a plurality of resource pools. The system comprises one or more customer stations connected via a network to a plurality of providers. A resource pool provider is associated with and controls each resource pool. Each resource pool provider includes provider controller software which maintains a record of commodities present in its associated resource pool. Requests for commodities such as video or audio segment, manufactured goods, raw material or data are transmitted to each of the resource pool providers and each resource pool provider determines if the commodities needed to fill that request are stored in its associated resource pool. If so, the provider generates a request reply acknowledging the resource request and offering to fill the request. The user looks at the request replies and chooses the provider to use based on factors such as the cost of the commodity, the quality of the commodity and the confidence the user has that the provider will actually be able to supply the commodity. Deliver of the commodity is then scheduled by both the chosen provider and the customer station. In addition, transport medium providers may be provided to compete for providing the transport medium used to transfer the commodity from the chosen resource pool to the customer station.

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First Claim