Anonymous bidding system
First Claim
1. A handheld device that is suitable for use within a tradition style auction setting, the device comprising:
- a bid actuator that can be actuated by a user to initiate the entrance of a bid for an item in the auction;
a transmitter that is operable to transmit bid information to a receiving device; and
a processor that is operable to detect the actuation of the bid actuator, generate bid information and to cause the transmitter to transmit the bid information to the receiving device.
2 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
An anonymous bidding system that allows bidders to participate in a live auction by placing bids for items, but that does not disclose the identify of the bidding parties. Bidding participants may utilize a bidding device, such as a handheld device, to receive information regarding the auction. This information can include a description of the item up for auction, the asking price, and the current high bidder. By actuating the bidding device, a signal is sent to the bidding system to indicate that a bid request is being submitted. The bid request includes a bidder identifier that is unique to the bidding party, but that does not disclose the identify of the bidding party to others in the audience. Thus, the parties can participate in the live auction without drawing attention to their participation.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A handheld device that is suitable for use within a tradition style auction setting, the device comprising:
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a bid actuator that can be actuated by a user to initiate the entrance of a bid for an item in the auction;
a transmitter that is operable to transmit bid information to a receiving device; and
a processor that is operable to detect the actuation of the bid actuator, generate bid information and to cause the transmitter to transmit the bid information to the receiving device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. The system for enabling the entrance of anonymous bids into a traditional style live auction, the system comprising:
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a plurality of bidding devices;
a bid engine function that is communicatively coupled to each of the plurality of bidding devices;
a clerk function that is communicatively coupled to the bid engine function and operable to;
access item information related to an item to be offered for auction, receive bidding parameters, provide the item information and the bidding parameters to a bid engine function, and receive bidding requests from the bid engine function;
the bid engine function being operable to;
receiving the item information and the bidding parameters;
transmit the item information and the bidding parameters to each of the plurality of bidding devices;
receiving the bidding requests from one or more of the plurality of bidding devices, and provide the bidding requests to the clerk system function;
each of the plurality of bidding devices being operable to;
receiving the item information and the bidding parameters from the bid engine function, receiving a bid actuation, translate the bid actuation into a bidding request, and transmit the bidding request to the bid engine function. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for enabling bidders to anonymously participate in a live auction event, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing each of a plurality of bidders with a bidding device, each bidding device having an associated and unique bidder identification;
delivering to each of the plurality of bidders, information about an item that is being auctioned;
establishing a requested bid amount;
receiving bid requests from one or more of the bidding devices, each bid request including the unique bidder identification associated with the bidding device entering the bid;
accepting one of the bid requests and identifying the unique bidder identification associated with the accepted bid request, whereby the bidder remains anonymous. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification