Enhanced auction mechanism for online transactions
First Claim
1. In a computer device, an online auction system having at least one seller member (seller) and at least one buyer member (bidder), said auction system comprising:
- a) an interface module configured to provide a user interface between the seller and the bidder;
b) a transaction module operatively coupled for communication to said interface module configured to manage transactions associated with moves made by the seller and the bidder in conjunction with a sale of an item by the seller; and
c) a mechanism module operatively coupled for communication to said transaction module, said mechanism module defining a plurality of distinct auction rules, said transaction module further configured to carry out transactions according to at least one auction rule defined by said mechanism module.
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Abstract
An auction system and method for suitable for use with online transactions which provide a plurality of enhanced auctions is disclosed. The present invention extends, augments or otherwise enhances various auction elements including, for example, the selection of participants, the grouping of participants, the moves made by participants, the bidding process of participants, the information revelation process, the auction closing process, and the auction clearing process, among others. In addition, enhanced auction modules may be used separately or together during the auction process.
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Citations
46 Claims
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1. In a computer device, an online auction system having at least one seller member (seller) and at least one buyer member (bidder), said auction system comprising:
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a) an interface module configured to provide a user interface between the seller and the bidder;
b) a transaction module operatively coupled for communication to said interface module configured to manage transactions associated with moves made by the seller and the bidder in conjunction with a sale of an item by the seller; and
c) a mechanism module operatively coupled for communication to said transaction module, said mechanism module defining a plurality of distinct auction rules, said transaction module further configured to carry out transactions according to at least one auction rule defined by said mechanism module. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A networked auction system for operating on-line auctions for sale of goods or services, comprising:
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an auction modeler for specifying a plurality of distinct auction models for sale of at least one good or service, wherein an auction model includes at least one guideline for dynamic evolution of an auction;
an auction manager coupled with said auction modeler for managing operation of at least one selected auction model from among the plurality of distinct auction models, said auction manager processing input from at least one auction participant and dynamically generating output compliant with the at least one guideline for the at least one selected auction model; and
a user interface coupled with said auction manager for receiving dynamic input from at least one auction participant and passing an indication of the dynamic input to said auction manager, and for receiving the dynamically generated output from said auction manager and passing a representation of the output to at least one auction participant. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A method for operating on-line auctions for sale of goods or services, comprising:
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specifying a plurality of distinct auction models for sale of goods or services, wherein an auction model includes at least one guideline for dynamic evolution of an auction;
managing operation of at least one selected auction model from among the plurality of distinct auction models, comprising processing input from at least one auction participant and dynamically generating output compliant with the at least one guideline for the at least one selected auction model;
receiving dynamic input from at least one auction participant; and
passing a representation of the dynamically generated output to at least one auction participant. - View Dependent Claims (22, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45)
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46. A computer-readable storage medium storing program code for causing a computer to perform the steps of:
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specifying a plurality of distinct auction models for sale of goods or services, wherein an auction model includes at least one guideline for dynamic evolution of an auction;
managing operation of at least one selected auction model from among the plurality of distinct auction models, comprising processing input from at least one auction participant and dynamically generating output compliant with the at least one guideline for the at least one selected auction model;
receiving dynamic input from at least one auction participant; and
passing a representation of the dynamically generated output to at least one auction participant.
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Specification