Network auction system and method
First Claim
1. A method for auctioning a plurality of lots, the method comprising:
- (a) providing an auction server;
(b) recording an auction item profile for the lots in the auction server, wherein the auction item profile includes;
(i) a first starting price at which the auction of a first lot will commence;
(ii) a spread factor for determining a starting price for a second lot and subsequent lots;
(iii) an auction price change; and
(iv) a first reserve price, (c) initiating a first auction for the first lot, wherein the first auction begins at the first starting price, and wherein the first auction has a first current price that is initially set equal to the first starting price;
(d) during the first auction, changing the first current price according until the first current price reaches a first reserve price or until an offer is made for the first lot, wherein the offer is made from an auction interface coupled to the auction server through a communication network; and
(e) after (d), initiating a second auction for a second lot, wherein the second auction has a second starting price that is determined, at least in part, by combining the spread factor and the outcome of the first auction.
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Abstract
The present invention provides a computerized system and methods for conducting on-line auctions. One or more concurrent auctions for one or more lots of products or services may be conducted. A dynamic pricing mechanism allows bidders to view the price at which a lot is offered and to make a bid when the price is acceptable to the bidder. In some embodiments, the results of the auction of one lot affect the starting price, reserve price and other characteristics of auctions for subsequent lots. In some embodiments, the pricing of a lot may depend more generally on the demand for similar products. Mulitple stage auctions with declining price and rising price aspects are also provided.
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Citations
32 Claims
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1. A method for auctioning a plurality of lots, the method comprising:
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(a) providing an auction server;
(b) recording an auction item profile for the lots in the auction server, wherein the auction item profile includes;
(i) a first starting price at which the auction of a first lot will commence;
(ii) a spread factor for determining a starting price for a second lot and subsequent lots;
(iii) an auction price change; and
(iv) a first reserve price, (c) initiating a first auction for the first lot, wherein the first auction begins at the first starting price, and wherein the first auction has a first current price that is initially set equal to the first starting price;
(d) during the first auction, changing the first current price according until the first current price reaches a first reserve price or until an offer is made for the first lot, wherein the offer is made from an auction interface coupled to the auction server through a communication network; and
(e) after (d), initiating a second auction for a second lot, wherein the second auction has a second starting price that is determined, at least in part, by combining the spread factor and the outcome of the first auction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for auctioning a plurality of lots, the method comprising:
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(a) providing an auction server;
(b) recording an auction item profile for the lots in the auction server, wherein the auction item profile includes;
(i) a first starting price at which the auction of a first lot will commence;
(ii) a spread factor for determining a starting price for a second lot and for subsequent lots;
(iii) an auction price change factor; and
(iv) a first reserve price, (c) initiating a first auction for the first lot, wherein the first auction begins at the first starting price, and wherein the first auction has a first current price that is initially set equal to the first starting price;
(d) during the first auction, reducing the first current price incrementally by the auction price change factor until the first current price reaches a first reserve price or until an offer is made for the first lot; and
(e) during (c) or (d), initiating a second auction for a second lot, wherein the second auction has a second starting price and wherein the second auction has a second current price that is initially set equal to the second starting price; and
(f) during the second auction, reducing the first current price incrementally by the auction price change factor until the second current reaches a second reserve price or until an offer is made for the second lot, wherein the first current price and second current price are simultaneously displayed on one or auction interfaces coupled to the auction server. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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- 21. The method of 14 including, during the first and second auctions, initiating a third auction for a third lot, wherein the third auction has a third starting price and a third current price that is initially set equal to the third starting price, and wherein the first second and third current prices are simultaneously displayed on the auction interfaces.
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29. A method for selling one or more lots, the method comprising:
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(a) providing an auction server;
(b) recording an auction item profile for the lots in the auction server, wherein the auction item profile includes;
(i) a first starting price at which the auction of a first lot will commence;
(ii) an auction price change factor, (c) initiating a first auction for the first lot, wherein the auction begins at the starting price, and wherein the first auction has a first current price that is initially set equal to the first starting price;
(d) during the first auction, incrementally reducing the first current price by the auction price change factor until either (i) the first current price reaches a first reserve price or (ii) an offer is made for the first lot, wherein the offer is made from an auction interface coupled to the auction server through a communication network; and
(e) continuing the first auction by receiving additional offers for the first lot during the time period, wherein when an additional offer exceeding the first current price is received, changing the first current price to the value of the additional offer. - View Dependent Claims (30)
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31. A method for selling one or more lots, the method comprising:
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(a) providing an auction server;
(b) recording an auction item profile for the lot in the auction server, wherein the auction item profile includes. (i) a starting price at which the auction of a first lot will commence;
(ii) an auction price change factor, (c) initiating an auction for the lot, wherein the auction begins at the starting price, and wherein the auction has a current price that is initially set equal to the starting price;
(d) during the auction, incrementally increasing the current price by the auction price change factor until either (i) the current price reaches a reserve price or (ii) an offer is made for the lot, wherein the offer is made from an auction interface coupled to the auction server through a communication network; and
(e) continuing the auction by receiving additional offers for the lot during the time period. - View Dependent Claims (32)
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Specification