Abstract: A multi-issue, multiparty computer-based blind-bidding system and method give an incentive for moving quickly to the zone of agreement. Confidential information is managed by a neutral site. After receiving optimistic proposals from the parties, the system generates visible suggestions, which are potential agreements whose values are derived from party preference information. Parties can see the suggestions generated by the system, but are “blind” to a confidential acceptance that any other party may indicate with respect to any package. Parties negotiate in a series of sessions where parties reach an agreement at the end of a particular session if they have accepted at least one same potential agreement. If parties have mutually accepted more than one same potential agreement by the end of the session, the agreement is determined by an algorithm that favors the party who moved the shortest relative distance during the session that just completed.

Abstract: A computer-based method and apparatus for interactive computer-assisted negotiations assists multiple parties involved in complex multiple issue negotiations in reaching an agreement that optimizes both the individual and overall benefit to the parties. Each of the parties to a conflict or dispute to be negotiated enters their preferences concerning each issue of the conflict into a computer system. If desired, each party to the dispute can have a separate computer system so that each party's preference information remains confidential to that party. The preference information includes data on satisfaction functions for each of the issues which defines a party's relative level of satisfaction as a function of a numerical value for the outcome of that issue. Each party may also enter one or more proposed alternative agreements which provide the party with a specified level of satisfaction.