Real-time, interactive, competitive method of on-line auction utilizing an auctioneer

• US 20060206408A1
• Filed: 02/23/2006
• Published: 09/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nick Nassiri
• Original Assignee: Nick Nassiri
• Inventors: Nassiri, Nick
• Granted Patent: US 8,036,949 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/37
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0617 Representative agent
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0619 Neutral agent
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/08 Auctions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/04 Trading; Exchange, e.g. stocks, commodities, derivatives or currency exchange

Abstract

The present inventive device provides a new method of real-time, interactive, competitive, live on-line auction using an animated auctioneer. The animated auctioneer initiates the auction, actively solicits bids from the auction participants, acknowledges bids input from auction participants, and moves to close the auction when there is a cessation in bidding. In the course of the auction, the auctioneer audibly and physically promotes the item up for bid, and entices the participants to bid. Participants input bids real-time, competitively and successively in response to the animated auctioneer'"'"'s solicitations.

Claims

1. A method interactive, on-line auction utilizing a computer network;

said computer network comprising a host server, an auction information server, an auction server, a virtual auctioneer, and a plurality of remote computers and communication lines connecting said remote computers to said computer network;

said method of auction comprising of the following steps;

said plurality of remote computers access a website on the world-wide-web;

said plurality of remote computers register to qualify to participate in said method of auction;

said host server establishes real-time connectivity with said qualified plurality of remote computers;

said host server renders a multimedia representation of said auctioneer;

said multimedia representation of said auctioneer is part of the user interface of said plurality of remote computers;

said host server transmits to said plurality of remote computers, real-time, live-stream multimedia signals;

said multimedia signals further comprise said auctioneer information;

receiving electronic data input from at least one of said plurality of remote computers in response to said multimedia signals from said host server;

said auction server receives and processes in a ranked order said electronic data originating from said plurality of remote computers;

said host server broadcasts to said plurality of remote computers said electronic data originating from any one of said plurality of remote computers;

said auction server determines which of said plurality of remote computers sent the most recent submission of said electronic data input; and

said host server broadcasts real-time to said plurality of remote computers the status of the cessation of said electronic data entry input and the results thereof.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said communication lines comprise telephonic or satellite or broadband communication lines, and the like;

said communication lines being configured to transmit real-time multimedia signals.

3. The system of claim 1 whereby said remote plurality of computers further comprises an auction output device;

said auction output device comprising the means whereby said remote plurality of computers view said real-time broadcast signals.

4. The system of claim 1 whereby said remote plurality of computers further comprises an auction input device;

said auction input device comprising the means whereby said remote plurality of computers input real-time electronic bids.

6. The system of claims 1 and 5, wherein said communication lines comprise telephonic or satellite or broadband communication lines;

said communication lines being configured to transmit real-time multimedia signals.

7. The system of claims 1 and 5 wherein said remote plurality of computers further comprises an auction output device;

said auction output device comprising the means whereby said remote plurality of computers view said real-time multimedia signals.

8. The method of claims 1 and 5 whereby said host computer further comprises an absentee bid agent;

said absentee bid agent comprising the means whereby said absentee bid agent inputs real-time bids.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein said computer network comprises several hyper text transport protocol servers with the means to facilitate said method of auction, said hyper text transport protocol servers cooperating with separate database computers, said database computers being accessible to at least one said hyper text transport protocol server to allow retrieval of information.

10. The method of claims 1 and 5 wherein said computer network comprises several hyper text transport protocol servers with the means to facilitate said method of auction, said hyper text transport protocol servers cooperating with separate database computers, said database computers being accessible to at least one said hyper text transport protocol server to allow retrieval of information.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein within said computer network exist software applications and databases that collectively comprise the auction management system;

said auction management system being further comprised of;

means whereby said plurality of remote computers interface with said broadcast signals from said host server;

means whereby said host server displays said electronic data input to said plurality of remote computers'"'"' browsers;

means whereby said plurality of remote computers enter and participate in said method of auction;

means whereby said plurality of remote computers individually and successively and simultaneously enter said electronic data input in response to said broadcast signals from said host computer;

means whereby said host server receives said electronic data input from each of said plurality of remote computers; and

means whereby said host server broadcasts real-time said electronic data input originating from any one of said plurality of remote computers to all said plurality of remote computers.

13. The system of claim 1 comprising a website on the world wide web;

said website being accessible by said plurality of remote computers for information regarding said method of auction;

said website comprising;

information identifying a particular goods, service, security, commodity, or item available for auction;

electronic images of a particular goods, service, security, commodity, or item available for auction;

electronic descriptions of a particular goods, service, security, commodity, or item available for auction;

expert opinion regarding a particular goods, service, security, commodity, or item available for auction;

minimum starting bid of a particular goods, service, security, commodity, or item available for auction;

auction start time;

information on how to register as an interactive auction participant prior to the auction;

rules and regulations of the auction;

schedule of upcoming interactive auctions and a corresponding schedule of particular goods, services, commodities, or items available for auction; and

an electronic auction catalogue.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising allowing at least some of said plurality of remote computers to access a registration process on said host server to participate in said method of auction;

said registration comprising an application on said website.

20. The system of claim 1 wherein said host server further comprises the means to receive said application from said registrant and to qualify said registrant for said method of auction;

said qualification comprising an identification number and a password.

22. The method of claims 1 and 5 whereby said host server further comprises the steps for said plurality of remote computers to access said method of auction.

23. The method of claims 1 and 5 whereby said host server further comprises the means whereby an absentee bid agent accesses said method of auction.

24. The system of claim 1, wherein said method of auction comprises a real-time, live-stream broadcast to said plurality of remote computers;

said broadcast further comprising said particular goods, services, securities, commodities, or items available for said method of auction.

26. The system of claim 1 wherein said method of auction comprises said multimedia auctioneer.

27. The method of claim 1 whereby said multimedia auctioneer imitates the protocol and mannerisms of a live, human being auctioneer.

30. The method of claim 1 being further comprised of the steps whereby said multimedia auctioneer solicits bids from said plurality of remote computers for said particular goods, service, security, commodity, or item available for said method of auction, and whereby said multimedia auctioneer moves to close the auction upon a cessation of bidding.

31. The system of claim 30 further comprising the means whereby said multimedia auctioneer solicits bids from said plurality of remote computers by audibly speaking and physically gesturing to said remote plurality of computers.

33. The system of claim 30 further comprising the means whereby said multimedia auctioneer solicits bids from said plurality of remote computers by audibly speaking and physically gesturing to said remote plurality of computers.

34. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of translating said auction information in the respective language of said plurality of remote computers.

36. The system of claim 1 being further comprised of an auction input device.

38. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps whereby said plurality of remote computers submit said electronic data input to said host server using said auction input device;

said electronic data being comprised of at least one of a group of audio data;

video data;

visual data;

text data;

live-text data;

biometric data, or voice input data.

40. The method of claim 38 wherein said biometric data comprises at least of a group of a signature;

a fingerprint;

a handprint;

a voice print;

or retina information.

42. The system of claim 36 being further comprised of a remote device that is not attached to said plurality of remote computers.

44. The method of claims 1 and 5 further comprising the step whereby said plurality of remote computers that are qualified submit an absentee bid record to said host server.

45. The method of claim 44 wherein said absentee bid record further comprises:

a particular auction;

a particular auction item;

the maximum bid amount for said particular item;

increments of said maximum bid; and

said registration information.

46. The method of claims 1 and 5 being further comprised of the steps whereby said host server receives and records said absentee bid record and sends to said plurality of remote computers a confirmation of said absentee bid record.

47. The method of claims 1 and 5 being further comprised of the steps whereby said absentee bid agent submits said absentee bid record on behalf of said plurality of remote computers to said host server during said auction;

said absentee bid agent submits said electronic data input in response to said multimedia signals from said host server, and said auction server receives, validates, and processes in a ranked order said electronic data input from said qualified plurality of remote computers.

48. The method of claims 47 whereby said absentee bid agent operates separate and independent from said auction server and from said auctioneer;

and said absentee bid agent further comprises the steps of said absentee bid agent bids the minimum allowed bid;

said absentee bid agent automatically increases said minimum allowed bid;

said absentee bid agent automatically outbids other bidders until said maximum bid is reached;

said absentee bid agent automatically bids only the current prevailing bid, plus the bid increment;

said absentee bid agent automatically notifies said qualified plurality of remote computers of the results thereof with respect to said absentee bid record.

49. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step whereby said host server receives said electronic data input from said qualified plurality of remote computers and submits to said electronic data input to said method of auction;

said electronic data input comprising a bid.

51. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of qualifying said plurality of remote computers comprises an identification number and whereby said computer network further comprises software applications and electronic databases that collectively implement the bid mechanics verification module process;

said bid mechanics verification module process being further comprised of the steps of

said auction server verifies said plurality of remote computer'"'"'s identification number to verify the source of said bid;

said auction server verifies that said plurality of remote computer'"'"'s identification number matches an existing registration record in said auction information database;

said auction server qualifies said plurality of remote computer'"'"'s said bid as a validated bid;

said auction server ranks said plurality of remote computer'"'"'s said validated bid in the order said validated bid was received;

said auction server registers said plurality of remote computer'"'"'s said validated bid in the order said validated bid was received;

said auction server submits said validated bid to said method of auction;

said host server broadcasts each of said validated bids to said qualified plurality of remote computers in the order said validated bid were received;

said auction server repeats said bid mechanics process upon receipt of said bids from any of said plurality of remote computers;

said auction server determines when said electronic data input originating from any one or all of said qualified plurality of remote computers has ceased; and

said auction server notifies said qualified plurality of remote computers of the status of said cessation of said electronic data entry input and the results thereof.

53. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of broadcasting auction information to said remote plurality of computers;

said auction information broadcast being displayed on said remote plurality of computers further comprising;

an electronic description of the current auction item;

minimum starting bid;

current highest bid;

a bid history;

said bid history comprising of the previous bids;

a source of said bid as represented by said identification number; and

an auction winner.

55. The system of claim 1 wherein said host server comprises an auction merchandise database, said merchandise database being comprised of the available goods, services, securities, commodities. or items available for said method of auction and a unique identifying reference number or code for said particular good, service, security, commodity or item available for said method of auction.

56. The system of claim 55 further comprising of an electronic catalogue;

said electronic catalogue comprising;

said unique identifying reference number or code for said particular good, service, security, commodity or item available for said method of auction;

a description of said particular good, service, security, commodity or item available for said method of auction;

an image of said particular good, service, security, commodity or item available for said method of auction;

the minimum starting bid for said particular good, service, security, commodity or item available for said method of auction;

the auction start time and date for said particular good, service, security, commodity or item available for said method of auction; and

expert opinion regarding said particular good, service, security, commodity or item available for said method of auction.

59. The system of claims 1 and 5 whereby the items available for auction are comprised of submissions of items for auction from said remote plurality of computers.

60. The method of claims 1 and 5 further comprising the following steps:

at least one of said plurality of remote computers access said website for the purpose of submitting an item for auction;

at least of one said plurality of remote computers selects an upcoming auction type;

at least of one said plurality of remote computers selects an auction item category;

at least of one said plurality of remote computers completes an auction item information form said auction item information form further comprising at least one of the group of a description, or an electronic image, or visual input, or video input, or audio input and a minimum starting bid of said item for auction;

at least one of said plurality of remote computers submits said auction item information form to said host server;

said host server confirms receipt of said auction item information form;

said host web server confirms that said item for auction complies with said rules and regulations for said method of auction;

said host server accepts said item for auction and notifies at least one of said plurality of remote computers; and

said host server posts said item for auction in said electronic catalogue that corresponds to said auction type selected.

61. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of whereby said host server confirms to said auction winner the purchase of said particular auction item and the prevailing bid price.

63. The method of claims 1 and 5 further comprising the step whereby said host server processes financial authorization for automated payment of said auction item.

64. The method of claims 1 and 5 further comprising the steps whereby said host server retrieves from said auction server database a winning bid record wherein said identification number indicates said winning bid record;

matches said winning bid record with a said plurality of remote computers'"'"' auction registration account;

charges said registration account said bid amount stored in said winning bid record; and

notifies and sends confirmation of said financial transaction to said plurality of remote computers via electronic mail.

65. The method of claims 1 and 5 further comprising the step of said host server broadcasting real-time in a ranked order to all said qualified plurality of remote computers said electronic date originating from any one said qualified plurality of remote computers.

66. The method claims 1 and 5 wherein said multimedia representation of said multimedia auctioneer is an animation.

67. The method claims 1 and 5 wherein said multimedia representation of said multimedia auctioneer is by way of simulated human speech.

68. The method claims 1 and 5 wherein said multimedia representation of said multimedia auctioneer is controlled to appropriately behave, at least in part, as a human conventional auctioneer would in the context of said auction process.

69. The method claims 1 and 5 further comprising the step whereby said multimedia auctioneer is controlled to appropriately respond to said electronic data input.

5. A system for conducting an on-line auction, the system comprising:

a host computer;

a computer network;

said computer network comprising a host server, an auction information server, an auction server;

a rendering computer that renders a multimedia representation of an auctioneer;

a plurality of remote computers, at least some of said remote plurality of computers being configured to receive input electronic data input and transmit said electronic data input to said auction server;

said auction sever being configured to receive, validate, and process said electronic data input by said remote plurality of computers; and

means for communication between said remote plurality of computers to said computer network, said plurality of remote computers being operable to access a website on the world-wide-web and establish connectivity with said host server by way of said website, said host server being configured to grant said plurality of remote computers access to participate in said system of auction, said host server being further configured to establish real-time connectivity with said plurality of remote computers, and said host server being further configured to communicate signals that comprise said multimedia representation of said auctioneer for reproduction on a multimedia output device comprised in at least one of the plurality of remote computers.

12. The system of claim 5 within said computer network exist software applications and databases that collectively comprise the auction management system;

said auction management system being further comprised of;

means whereby said plurality of remote computers interface with said broadcast signals from said host server;

means whereby said host server displays said electronic data input to said plurality of remote computers'"'"' browsers;

means whereby said plurality of remote computers enter and participate in said method of auction;

means whereby said plurality of remote computers individually and successively and simultaneously enter said electronic data input in response to said broadcast signals from said host computer;

means whereby said host server receives said electronic data input from each of said plurality of remote computers; and

means whereby said host server broadcasts real-time said electronic data input originating from any one of said plurality of remote computers to all said plurality of remote computers.

14. The system of claim 5 comprising a website on the world wide web;

said website being accessible by said plurality of remote computers for information regarding said method of auction;

said website comprising;

information regarding said auctioneers;

said information further comprising audio, visual, textual, and electronic data;

information identifying a particular goods, service, security, commodity, or item available for auction;

electronic images of a particular goods, service, security commodity, or item available for auction;

electronic descriptions of a particular goods, service, security, commodity, or item available for auction;

expert opinion regarding a particular goods, service, security, commodity, or item available for auction;

minimum starting bid of a particular goods, service, security, commodity, or item available for auction;

auction start time;

information on how to register as an interactive auction participant prior to the auction;

rules and regulations of the auction;

schedule of upcoming interactive auctions and a corresponding schedule of particular goods, services, commodities, or items available for auction; and

an electronic auction catalogue.

16. The method of claim 5, further comprising allowing at least some of said plurality of remote computers to access a registration process on said host server to participate in said method of auction;

said registration comprising an application on said website.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the step of said registration further comprises:

the registrant'"'"'s name;

the registrant'"'"'s address;

the registrant'"'"'s phone number;

the registrant'"'"'s electronic mail address;

the registrant'"'"'s personal verification information, including but not limited to, government issued documents, biometric data, and personal information;

the registrant'"'"'s qualifying financial information; and

an electronically signed acknowledgement.

18. The method of claim 5, comprising of means wherein said plurality of remote computers register to qualify to participate in said method of auction;

said registration comprising an application on said website.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the step of said registration further comprises:

the registrant'"'"'s name;

the registrant'"'"'s address;

the registrant'"'"'s phone number;

the registrant'"'"'s electronic mail address;

the registrant'"'"'s personal verification information, including but not limited to, government issued documents, biometric data, and personal information;

the registrant'"'"'s qualifying financial information; and

an electronically signed acknowledgement.

21. The method of claim 5 whereby said host server further comprises the means to receive said application from said registrant and to qualify said registrant for said method of auction;

said qualification comprising an identification number and a password.

25. The system of claim 5, wherein said method of auction comprises a real-time, live-stream broadcast to said plurality of remote computers;

said broadcast further comprising said particular goods, services, securities, commodities, or items available for said method of auction.

28. The system of claim 5 wherein said method of auction comprises said multimedia auctioneer.

29. The method of claim 5 whereby said multimedia auctioneer imitates the protocol and mannerisms of a live, human being auctioneer.

32. The method of claim 5 being further comprised of the steps whereby said multimedia auctioneer solicits bids from said plurality of remote computers for said particular goods, service, security, commodity, or item available for said method of auction, and whereby said multimedia auctioneer moves to close the auction upon a cessation of bidding.

35. The method of claim 5 further comprising the step of translating said auction information in the respective language of said plurality of remote computers.

37. The system of claim 5 being further comprised of an auction input device.

39. The method of claim 5 further comprising the steps whereby said plurality of remote computers submit said electronic data input to said host server using said auction input device;

said electronic data being comprised of at least one of a group of audio data;

video data;

visual data;

text data;

live-text data;

biometric data, or voice input data.

41. The method of claim 39 wherein said biometric data comprises at least of a group of a signature;

a fingerprint;

a handprint;

a voice print;

or retina information.

43. The system of claim 37 being further comprised of a remote device that is not attached to said plurality of remote computers.

50. The method of claim 5 further comprising the step whereby said host server receives said electronic data input from said qualified plurality of remote computers and submits to said electronic data input to said method of auction;

said electronic data input comprising a bid.

52. The method of claim 5 wherein said step of qualifying said plurality of remote computers comprises an identification number and whereby said computer network further comprises software applications and electronic databases that collectively implement the bid mechanics verification module process;

said bid mechanics verification module process being further comprised of the steps of

said auction server verifies said plurality of remote computer'"'"'s identification number to verify the source of said bid;

said auction server verifies that said plurality of remote computer'"'"'s identification number matches an existing registration record in said auction information database;

said auction server qualifies said plurality of remote computer'"'"'s said bid as a validated bid;

said auction server ranks said plurality of remote computer'"'"'s said validated bid in the order said validated bid was received;

said auction server registers said plurality of remote computer'"'"'s said validated bid in the order said validated bid was received;

said auction server submits said validated bid to said method of auction;

said host server broadcasts each of said validated bids to said qualified plurality of remote computers in the order said validated bid were received;

said auction server repeats said bid mechanics process upon receipt of said bids from any of said plurality of remote computers;

said auction server determines when said electronic data input originating from any one or all of said qualified plurality of remote computers has ceased; and

said auction server notifies said qualified plurality of remote computers of the status of said cessation of said electronic data entry input and the results thereof.

54. The method of claim 5 further comprising the step of broadcasting auction information to said remote plurality of computers;

said auction information broadcast being displayed on said remote plurality of computers further comprising;

an electronic description of the current auction item;

minimum starting bid;

current highest bid;

a bid history;

said bid history comprising of the previous bids;

a source of said bid as represented by said identification number; and

an auction winner.

57. The system of claim 5 wherein said host server comprises an auction merchandise database, said merchandise database being comprised of the available goods, services, securities, commodities. or items available for said method of auction and a unique identifying reference number or code for said particular good, service, security, commodity or item available for said method of auction.

58. The system of claim 57 further comprising of an electronic catalogue;

said electronic catalogue comprising;

said unique identifying reference number or code for said particular good, service, security, commodity or item available for said method of auction;

a description of said particular good, service, security, commodity or item available for said method of auction;

an image of said particular good, service, security, commodity or item available for said method of auction;

the minimum starting bid for said particular good, service, security, commodity or item available for said method of auction;

the auction start time and date for said particular good, service, security, commodity or item available for said method of auction; and

expert opinion regarding said particular good, service, security, commodity or item available for said method of auction.

62. The method of claim 5 further comprising the step of whereby said host server confirms to said auction winner the purchase of said particular auction item and the prevailing bid price.

70. The method of claim 70 whereby said controlled response comprises at least of one the group of a facial response, or simulated human speech, or physical gestures.