System and method for asset sharing

A method for asset sharing an item between an item owner and system participants for use with a computer-based system, comprising:

• determining if a system participant is included in a universe of system participants trusted by the item owner;
• and
• if the system participant is included in a universe of system participants trusted by the item owner,
• allowing the system participant to view a universe of items associated with the item owner;
• receiving a request from a system participant at the computer-based system related to the universe of items associated with the item owner;
• matching an item in a universe of items associated with the computer-based system with the request;
• allocating the matched item to the request;
• obtaining approval from the item owner to share the item with the system participant;
• transporting the item to the system participant;
• monitoring the status of the item;
• and
• transporting the item from the system participant to the item owner or other system participant.

A method for matching and allocating assets between an item owner and system participants for use with a computer-based system, comprising:

• receiving a request from a system participant at the computer-based system;
• determining whether the request corresponds to an item in a universe of available items associated with the computer-based system;
• if no item exists in the universe of available items corresponding to the request,
• maintaining a record of the request;
• and
• monitoring the universe of available items associated with the computer-based system to determine if an item corresponding to the request is added to the universe of available items;
• and
• if an item exists in the universe of available items corresponding to the request,
• matching the item to the request;
• allocating the matched item to the request;
• obtaining approval from the item owner to share the item with the system participant;
• coordinating the transport of the item to the system participant;
• monitoring the status of the item;
• and
• coordinating the transport of the item from the system participant to the item owner or other system participant.

A system for asset sharing between an item owner and system participants, comprising:

• a server component for maintaining a universe of available items and the owner of each item;
• a user interface component for receiving a request from a system participant for the use of an item at the server component;
• a matching component for determining whether a request from a system participant at the server component corresponds to an item in the universe of available items maintained by the server component;
• an allocation component for associating a matched item with a request made by a system participant;
• an approval component for obtaining approval from the item owner to share the item with a system participant;
• a transportation coordination component for coordinating the transport of the item among an item owner and system participants;
• and
• a monitoring component for monitoring the status of the item.