Method and apparatus for configurably adjusting a bid in an online auction

• US 20010042039A1
• Filed: 12/29/2000
• Published: 11/15/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 02/19/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ariba Incorporated (SAP SE)
• Original Assignee: Ariba Incorporated (SAP SE)
• Inventors: Harrigal, Kimberly A., Wagner, Douglas R., Atkinson, Scott W., Lang, Robert B. Jr., Rupp, William D.
• Granted Patent: US 7,499,876 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/37
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0641 Shopping interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/08 Auctions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/04 Trading; Exchange, e.g. stocks, commodities, derivatives or currency exchange

Abstract

A method and apparatus for configuring and entering bids in an auction is disclosed. The method includes displaying a bid adjustment mechanism configuration interfaced to a bidder. Thereafter, a bid adjustment value for the bid adjustment mechanism is set using the configuration interface. Following the setting step, upon actuation of the bid adjustment mechanism, a bid is adjusted by the bid adjustment value previously set using the configuration interface.

Claims

1. A method of configuring a bid adjustment mechanism in an online auction, comprising the steps of:

(a) displaying a bid adjustment mechanism configuration interface; and

(b) setting a bid adjustment value for the bid adjustment mechanism using the configuration interface, such that when the bid adjustment mechanism is actuated, a bid is adjusted by the bid adjustment value set in the configuration interface.

2. The method of

claim 1

, wherein the bid adjustment mechanism is a button on a graphical user interface displayed to the bidder.

3. The method of

claim 1

, wherein step (b) further comprises selecting a bid adjustment type associated with the bid adjustment value, wherein the bid adjustment type corresponds to an absolute value or a percentage of a previous bid.

4. The method of

claim 3

, wherein the absolute value is measured in a currency.

5. The method of

claim 4

, wherein the currency is U.S. dollars.

6. The method of

claim 1

, wherein step (b) further comprises selecting a bid adjustment type associated with the bid adjustment value, wherein the bid adjustment type corresponds to a bid rank.

7. A method of configuring bid adjustment mechanisms in an online auction, wherein bids are comprised of at least two parameters, and each parameter may be adjusted using a different bid adjustment mechanism, comprising the steps of:

(a) displaying a bid adjustment mechanism configuration interface; and

(b) setting a bid adjustment value for each of the at least two bid parameters, such that when a bid adjustment mechanism for a given bid parameter is actuated, the given bid parameter is adjusted by the bid adjustment value set for the given parameter using the configuration interface.

8. The method of

claim 7

, wherein step (b) further comprises selecting, for each one of the at least two bid parameters, a bid adjustment type associated with the bid adjustment value set for said one bid parameter.

9. The method of

claim 7

, wherein the at least two bid parameters include price and quantity.

10. The method of

claim 7

, wherein the at least two bid parameters include discount rate and contract length.

11. A computer-implemented apparatus for configuring a bid adjustment component of an application for submitting bids to an electronic auction, comprising:

a user-interface that displays bid adjustment mechanism configuration options to a bidder;

a processor, coupled to the user-interface, that sets a bid adjustment value for the bid adjustment mechanism;

wherein, upon actuation of the bid adjustment mechanism, a bid is adjusted by the bid adjustment value.

12. The apparatus of

claim 11

, wherein said bid adjustment component is selected from the group consisting of absolute value, percentage and rank.

13. A computer-implemented apparatus for configuring at least two bid adjustment components of an application for submitting bids to an electronic auction, wherein each bid adjustment component may be adjusted using a different bid adjustment mechanism, comprising:

a user-interface that displays bid adjustment mechanism configuration options for each bid adjustment component to a bidder;

a processor, coupled to the user-interface, that sets a bid adjustment value for the bid adjustment mechanism for each bid adjustment component;

wherein, upon actuation of the bid adjustment mechanism for a bid adjustment component, a bid is adjusted by the bid adjustment value for said bid adjustment component.

14. The apparatus of

claim 13

, wherein the at least two bid adjustment components include price and quantity.