Abstract: In a combinatorial exchange, rules can be input for processing bids and a desired exchange objective can be defined. A subset of the rules can be used to determine if an allocation of the bids exists that is optimal for the type of exchange being conducted. If the desired exchange objective is not satisfied, new allocations can be determined using different subsets of rules each time until the desired exchange objective is satisfied. At least one of the bids can include a reference ratio; a discount; a price associated with a quantity Q1 of a first item; a price associated with a quantity Q2 of a second item; and a rule that causes said discount to be applied to an average price of Q1 and an average price of Q2 for each instance of the allocated quantity Q1 over the allocated quantity Q2 that equals the reference ratio.

Abstract: In a combinatorial exchange, a set of rules can be input for processing of bids received in connection with the exchange. At least one bid can be received from each of a plurality of exchange participants and a desired exchange objective can be defined. A determination can be made as a function of a subset of the rules if an allocation of the bids exists that is optimal for the type of exchange being conducted. If the desired exchange objective is not satisfied, the step of determining an allocation is repeated utilizing a different subset of rules each time until the desired exchange objective is satisfied. It can be determined if the exchange is overconstrained and, if so, rules can be relaxed. Also or alternatively, the demand for a quantity of an item can be increased or decreased based on the average cost of the item.

Abstract: In a combinatorial exchange, rules can be input for processing bids and a desired exchange objective can be defined. A subset of the rules can be used to determine if an allocation of the bids exists that is optimal for the type of exchange being conducted. If the desired exchange objective is not satisfied, new allocations can be determined using different subsets of rules each time until the desired exchange objective is satisfied. Trigger bid groups and/or rules associated with trigger values can be used to determine whether to apply modification or discounts to bids. Item and bid groups can be partitioned into groups for the purpose of smoothing requirements. Trigger bid groups, rules associated with trigger values, item groups, and bid groups can be used for adjusting or constraining bids based on triggers, logical connectives, and adjustments.

Abstract: In a live, expressive combinatorial exchange, each of plural bidders can submit a bid. Based on the submitted bids, an allocation of the bids is determined that is optimal for the type of exchange being conducted. At least a portion of each bid of the allocation is displayed to each bidder of a first subset of the bidders that has at least one bid that is not included in the allocation. Each bidder of a subset of the first subset of bidders can then amend one or more of their existing bids or submit a new bid that is considered the next time the allocation is determined. The process of feeding back at least a portion of each bid of the allocation, submitting new bids or amendments to existing bids, and determining a new allocation based on all of the submitted bids continues until a predetermined condition is satisfied.

Abstract: In a multi-unit combinatorial auction, reverse auction, or exchange, a number of bids can be received, with each bid including one or more items and for each item a desired quantity thereof. Each bid also includes a price. A number of unique combinations of bids can be formed from the received bids, and the one combination of bids which represents the best value in terms of an auction setting, a reverse auction setting and/or an exchange setting can be determined. Thereafter, the bids forming this combination can be declared the winning bids of the auction, reverse auction or exchange.

Abstract: In a combinatorial exchange, rules can be input for processing bids and a desired exchange objective can be defined. A subset of the rules can be used to determine if an allocation of the bids exists that is optimal for the type of exchange being conducted. If the desired exchange objective is not satisfied, new allocations can be determined using different subsets of rules each time until the desired exchange objective is satisfied. At least one of the bids can include a reference ratio; a discount; a price associated with a quantity Q1 of a first item; a price associated with a quantity Q2 of a second item; and a rule that causes said discount to be applied to an average price of Q1 and an average price of Q2 for each instance of the allocated quantity Q1 over the allocated quantity Q2 that equals the reference ratio.

Abstract: In a combinatorial exchange, a set of rules can be input for processing of bids received in connection with the exchange. At least one bid can be received from each of a plurality of exchange participants and a desired exchange objective can be defined. A determination can be made as a function of a subset of the rules if an allocation of the bids exists that is optimal for the type of exchange being conducted. If the desired exchange objective is not satisfied, the step of determining an allocation is repeated utilizing a different subset of rules each time until the desired exchange objective is satisfied. It can be determined if the exchange is overconstrained and, if so, rules can be relaxed. Also or alternatively, the demand for a quantity of an item can be increased or decreased based on the average cost of the item.

Abstract: In a combinatorial exchange, rules can be input for processing bids and a desired exchange objective can be defined. A subset of the rules can be used to determine if an allocation of the bids exists that is optimal for the type of exchange being conducted. If the desired exchange objective is not satisfied, new allocations can be determined using different subsets of rules each time until the desired exchange objective is satisfied. Trigger bid groups and/or rules associated with trigger values can be used to determine whether to apply modification or discounts to bids. Item and bid groups can be partitioned into groups for the purpose of smoothing requirements. Trigger bid groups, rules associated with trigger values, item groups, and bid groups can be used for adjusting or constraining bids based on triggers, logical connectives, and adjustments.

Abstract: A method of processing an exchange includes providing a solver/analyzer for determining a solution that includes at least one of a winning allocation and feasible allocations. At least one bid is received at the solver/analyzer, with each bid including at least one item and an associated price. Exchange description data (EDD) is associated with the at least one bid. The EDD is also received at the solver/analyzer. The processing of the at least one bid is modified in accordance with the at least one feature included in the EDD.

Abstract: In a combinatorial exchange, a set of rules can be input for processing of bids received in connection with the exchange. At least one bid can be received from each of a plurality of exchange participants and a desired exchange objective can be defined. A determination can be made as a function of a subset of the rules if an allocation of the bids exists that is optimal for the type of exchange being conducted. If the desired exchange objective is not satisfied, the step of determining an allocation is repeated utilizing a different subset of rules each time until the desired exchange objective is satisfied.

Abstract: In a live, expressive combinatorial exchange, each of a plurality of bidders can submit a bid. Based on the submitted bids, an allocation of the bids is determined that is optimal for the type of exchange being conducted. At least a portion of each bid of the allocation is displayed to each bidder of a first subset of the bidders that has at least one bid that is not included in the allocation. Each bidder of a subset of the first subset of bidders can then amend one or more of their existing bids or submit a new bid that is considered the next time the allocation is determined. The process of feeding back at least a portion of each bid of the allocation, submitting new bids or amendments to existing bids, and determining a new allocation based on all of the submitted bids continues until a predetermined condition is satisfied.

Abstract: In an allocation of subscribers to one or more wireless carrier rate plans, a number of wireless voice and/or data carrier rate plans is selected and each subscriber's historical wireless time usage for each of a number of foregone time intervals is determined. For each combination of subscriber and rate plan a first expression is defined that includes a unique variable and a cost associated with assigning the subscriber to the rate plan for at least one of the time intervals. Constraints that collectively ensure that subscribers are allocated to a specified minimum or maximum number of rate plans, or restrict a subscriber to be allocated to just one rate plan are determined. The expressions and constraints are processed by an optimal solution solver running on a computer to determine an optimal assignment of subscribers to at least one rate plan.

Abstract: A method of exchange winner determination includes determining an exchange specification having at least one item. A bid is received from each of a number of bidders, with at least one bid placed on a quantity of the one item. The bids are processed to determine a first allocation that includes an award of the quantity of the one item to a first bid. An allocation modifier is specified. The bids are processed as a function of the allocation modifier to determine a second allocation that includes an award of the quantity of the one item to a second bid. The first or second allocation is designated as the winning allocation as a function of the award of the quantity of the one item in the second bid.

Abstract: A method of determining a winning allocation in an exchange includes receiving a plurality of bids, with each bid placed on a quantity of at least one item. At least one allocation modifier is received and an objective is defined as a function of each bid and the allocation modifier. At least one limitation is defined on how the allocation modifier can be changed. From the objective subject to the at least one limitation, a determination is made on how the allocation modifier changes. In response to how the allocation modifier changes, outputting data from which a bidder of a bid associated with the allocation modifier can be identified.

Abstract: A method of processing an exchange includes providing a solver/analyzer for determining a solution that includes at least one of a winning allocation and feasible allocations. At least one bid is received at the solver/analyzer, with each bid including at least one item and an associated price. Exchange description data (EDD) is associated with the at least one bid. The EDD is also received at the solver/analyzer. The processing of the at least one bid is modified in accordance with the at least one feature included in the EDD.