Systems and methods for automated internet-based auctions
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus for implementing an automated auction process, the apparatus comprising:
- a plurality of workstations, each of the workstations comprising;
a workstation storage device;
a workstation processor connected to the workstation storage device, the workstation storage device storing a workstation program for controlling the workstation processor; and
the workstation processor operative with the workstation program to receive bids on at least one item, and to display an animated auctioneer that announces a current bid; and
a server operative to communicate with the plurality of workstations and receive the bids on the at least one item, the server comprising;
a server storage device;
a server processor connected to the server storage device, the server storage device storing a server program for controlling the server processor; and
the server processor operative with the server program to determine the current bid based on the received bids and to stop accepting subsequent bids after a pre-determined time period has elapsed following the determination of the current bid.
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Abstract
The present invention relates to systems and methods for implementing an automated auction process that is held at a designated time on the Internet, and that ends after bidding has been completed. In accordance with these systems and methods, a server connected to a plurality of workstations may establish several auctions that allow for efficient trading of multiple goods, while simulating the live and dynamic setting of traditional auctions.
62 Citations
100 Claims
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1. An apparatus for implementing an automated auction process, the apparatus comprising:
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a plurality of workstations, each of the workstations comprising;
a workstation storage device;
a workstation processor connected to the workstation storage device, the workstation storage device storing a workstation program for controlling the workstation processor; and
the workstation processor operative with the workstation program to receive bids on at least one item, and to display an animated auctioneer that announces a current bid; and
a server operative to communicate with the plurality of workstations and receive the bids on the at least one item, the server comprising;
a server storage device;
a server processor connected to the server storage device, the server storage device storing a server program for controlling the server processor; and
the server processor operative with the server program to determine the current bid based on the received bids and to stop accepting subsequent bids after a pre-determined time period has elapsed following the determination of the current bid. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46)
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47. A method for implementing an automated auction process, the method comprising:
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displaying an animated auctioneer on an interactive screen, the animated auctioneer announcing the start of the auction process;
displaying product information relating to at least one item on an interactive screen;
following a determination of a highest bid, setting a pre-determined time period after which no bids on the at least one item are accepted;
receiving at least one bid on the at least one item;
determining a current bid on the at least one item based on the at least one bid; and
announcing the current bid on the at least one item through the animated auctioneer displayed on the interactive screen. - View Dependent Claims (48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100)
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Specification