Online auction system
First Claim
1. A system for conducting online auctions over a computer network, the system comprising:
- an auction server, the auction server containing;
a bidder database containing at least one bidder record associated with a corresponding bidder, wherein each bidder record includes a deposit amount which represents the amount of a deposit paid by that bidder; and
an item database containing at least one item record associated with an item to be auctioned; and
at least one remote terminal operatively connected to the auction server over the network, each remote terminal operative to allow a bidder to transmit a bid to the auction server;
wherein the auction server, in response to receiving a bid from a remote terminal by a bidder during an auction of an item, checks the deposit amount in the bidder record associated with that bidder against a minimum required deposit in respect of the item being auctioned and if it is determined that a sufficient deposit has been paid by the bidder the auction server registers the current bid.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An online auction system and method that incorporates deposits into an auction model is disclosed. Remote terminals operated by potential bidders and sellers are used to access an auction server over a network. The auction server determines a deposit submitted in conjunction with an item to be auctioned by a seller and displays the amount of the deposit to potential bidders viewing an auction item record corresponding to the item. The auction server requires bidders to have submitted a sufficient deposit before a bid on an item up for auction will be registered by the auction server. If the bidder should win the auction, but fails to submit a complete payment for the item, the deposit will be forfeited and divided in a predetermined way. If the seller fails to complete the transaction, the seller'"'"'s deposit is forfeited and divided in a predetermined way.
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Citations
41 Claims
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1. A system for conducting online auctions over a computer network, the system comprising:
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an auction server, the auction server containing;
a bidder database containing at least one bidder record associated with a corresponding bidder, wherein each bidder record includes a deposit amount which represents the amount of a deposit paid by that bidder; and
an item database containing at least one item record associated with an item to be auctioned; and
at least one remote terminal operatively connected to the auction server over the network, each remote terminal operative to allow a bidder to transmit a bid to the auction server;
wherein the auction server, in response to receiving a bid from a remote terminal by a bidder during an auction of an item, checks the deposit amount in the bidder record associated with that bidder against a minimum required deposit in respect of the item being auctioned and if it is determined that a sufficient deposit has been paid by the bidder the auction server registers the current bid. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of conducting online auctions over a computer network, where remote terminals of potential bidders are used to access an auction server computer, the method comprising:
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receiving a deposit from a current bidder and storing the amount of the deposit as a deposit amount;
receiving a current bid from the current bidder on an item being auctioned;
in response to receiving the current bid, checking the deposit amount of the current bidder; and
if the deposit amount of the current bidder indicates at least a minimum required deposit amount in respect of the item being auctioned, accepting and registering the current bid; and
upon the occurrence of a predetermined auction closing condition, completing the auction of the item in accordance with auction rules based on the accepted bids in respect of the item. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A system for conducting online auctions over a computer network, the system comprising:
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an auction server containing an item database containing at least one item record associated with an item to be auctioned; and
at least one remote terminal operatively connected to the auction server over the network, each remote terminal operative to allow a seller to send the particulars of an item to be auctioned, including submitting a seller deposit in respect of that item, to the auction server resulting in the creation of an item record in the item database;
wherein during an auction of an item from the item database by the auction server, the seller deposit amount in respect of the item being auctioned is displayed to potential bidders using remote terminals to access the auction server to participate in the auction. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A method of conducting online auctions over a computer network, where remote terminals of potential bidders and potential sellers are used to access an auction server computer, the method comprising:
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the auction server receiving from a current seller a posting of an item to be auctioned and a seller deposit and creating an auction item record associated with the item and storing a seller deposit amount in the auction item record;
allowing potential bidders using remote terminals to access the current auction item record and display the seller deposit amount;
conducting the auction in accordance with a set of auction rules; and
upon completion of the auction, if the current seller fails to ship the item to the winning bidder within a predetermined period of time, seizing the seller deposit.
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34. A method of conducting auctions over a network, where remote terminals of potential bidders and potential sellers are used to access an auction server computer, the method comprising;
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the auction server receiving a posting of an item to be auctioned and a seller deposit and creating an auction item record associated with the item and storing a seller deposit amount in the current auction item record;
allowing a potential bidder using a remote terminal to access the auction item record associated with the item and viewing the seller deposit amount;
the auction server receiving a current bid on the item from a current bidder and in response to receiving the current bid, checking a bidder deposit amount in a bidder record associated with the current bidder and registering the current bid if the bidder deposit amount is at least a minimum required deposit amount in respect of the item being auctioned; and
upon an occurrence of a predetermined auction closing condition, completing the auction of the item in accordance with a set of auction rules based on the accepted bids in respect of the item. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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Specification