Method and apparatus for modifying the winning bid in an on-line auction to benefit a charitable organization
First Claim
1. In a computer system operatively connectable to a network and capable of communicating with one or more other processes operatively connectable to the network capable of hosting an on-line auction with at least one auction item, a method comprising:
- (A) identifying a winning bid and bidder associated with an auction item;
(B) deriving from the winning bid an alternative bid of greater value; and
(C) presenting the alternative bid of greater value to the bidder.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention discloses methods, systems, and program code that enable a nonprofit organization to manage its fundraising activities online. Disclosed are methods and systems for providing online hosting of fundraising auctions, and auction services such as maintaining donor/bidder registries, bid tracking, processing credit cards, and auction closeout activities. Also disclosed are a plurality of on-line, web-based tools, including tools for: 1) building a customized homepage reflecting the look and feel of the nonprofit organization; 2) building a customized catalog that allows for easy addition of items and pictures; and 3) enhanced email messaging that lets a nonprofit organization reach its constituents. According to one aspect of the invention, an organization can, as part of the auction preferences, include the ability to suggest a ‘round up’ amount to any winning bidder. If enabled, the system will automatically suggest a ‘round up’ purchase price above the winning bid. The bidder would be informed where the ‘round up’ amount will be utilized. The bidder has the option to disregard the ‘round up’ price and continue the close-out with the original winning bid. Also disclosed are techniques for handling payment for auction items upon rejection of electronic payment data.
86 Citations
22 Claims
-
1. In a computer system operatively connectable to a network and capable of communicating with one or more other processes operatively connectable to the network capable of hosting an on-line auction with at least one auction item, a method comprising:
-
(A) identifying a winning bid and bidder associated with an auction item;
(B) deriving from the winning bid an alternative bid of greater value; and
(C) presenting the alternative bid of greater value to the bidder. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. A computer program product for use with a computer system operatively connectable to a network and capable of communicating with one or more other processes operatively connectable to the network and capable of hosting an on-line auction with at least one auction item, the computer program product comprising a computer useable medium having embodied therein program code comprising:
-
(A) program code for identifying a winning bid and bidder associated with an auction item;
(B) program code for deriving from the winning bid an alternative bid of greater value; and
(C) program code for presenting the alternative bid of greater value to the bidder. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
-
-
17. In a computer system operatively connectable to a network and capable of communicating with one or more other processes operatively connectable to the network and capable of hosting an on-line auction with at least one auction item, apparatus comprising:
-
(A) program logic for identifying a winning bid and bidder associated with an auction item;
(B) program logic for deriving from the winning bid an alternative bid of greater value; and
(C) program logic for presenting the alternative bid of greater value to the bidder. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
-
-
22. In a computer system operatively connectable to a network and capable of communicating with one or more other processes operatively connectable to the network capable of hosting an on-line auction with at least one auction item, a method comprising:
-
(A) determining that a transaction for payment of an auction item was not completed;
(B) notifying a winning bidder of the auction item that the transaction for payment of the auction item was not completed and indicating a time by which the transaction for payment of the auction item must be completed; and
(C) offering the auction item to a next highest bidder for the auction item that has met all auction conditions, if the transaction for payment of the auction item is not completed by the winning bidder before the indicated time.
-
Specification