Computerized Auction System For Use With Multiple Purchasing Media
First Claim
1. A method of conducting a network-based auction between at least two potential purchasers bidding upon the same auctioned item utilizing different purchasing media types, the method comprising:
- (a) displaying to the at least two potential purchasers the auction item that they each have decided to bid upon, wherein each potential purchaser can bid on the auction item using at least one of the purchasing media types accepted by the network-based auction, wherein at least two of the potential purchasers have selected different purchasing media types;
(b) displaying a current bid price for the auction item to the potential purchaser making the current bid in terms of the at least one purchasing media type utilized by that potential purchaser;
(c) converting the current bid price and displaying it to at least one of the other potential purchasers in terms of the at least one purchasing media type utilized by that other potential purchaser; and
(d) permitting a potential purchaser other than the current potential purchaser to place an increased bid upon the auction item in terms of the at least one purchasing media type utilized by that potential purchaser.
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Abstract
Systems and methods create and maintain an auction server operative to receive requests for displaying auction items. The bid values are displayed and received in units that are specific to a particular program in which the user is participating. Bid values can be displayed and received in differing units depending on the particular program. Thus, participants in different programs can bid on the same items using different media types or different currencies. The system automatically converts between the different media types in order to determine highest bidders and bid amounts.
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Citations
44 Claims
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1. A method of conducting a network-based auction between at least two potential purchasers bidding upon the same auctioned item utilizing different purchasing media types, the method comprising:
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(a) displaying to the at least two potential purchasers the auction item that they each have decided to bid upon, wherein each potential purchaser can bid on the auction item using at least one of the purchasing media types accepted by the network-based auction, wherein at least two of the potential purchasers have selected different purchasing media types;
(b) displaying a current bid price for the auction item to the potential purchaser making the current bid in terms of the at least one purchasing media type utilized by that potential purchaser;
(c) converting the current bid price and displaying it to at least one of the other potential purchasers in terms of the at least one purchasing media type utilized by that other potential purchaser; and
(d) permitting a potential purchaser other than the current potential purchaser to place an increased bid upon the auction item in terms of the at least one purchasing media type utilized by that potential purchaser. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A network-based auction system comprising:
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(a) a database of items for purchase;
(b) at least one auction server in communication with the database to display at least one of the items for purchase, wherein the auction server adjusts the purchasing media types to be displayed to at least one potential purchaser;
(c) at least one potential purchaser network device to facilitate communication with at least the auction server, wherein the auction server displays the at least one item to the at least one potential purchaser; and
(d) at least one purchasing media type utilized by the at least one potential purchaser for bidding on the at least one item displayed on the auction server. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
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43. A method of conducting a network-based auction, the method comprising:
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(a) storing at least one auction item for purchase in a database;
(b) hosting at least one auction on a server that is in communication with the database;
(c) receiving a display of the auction and the at least one auction item by a network device viewable by at least one potential purchaser;
(d) utilizing different purchasing media types by the potential purchaser for the purchase of the at least one auction item on the network device;
(e) displaying a price of the at least one item to the potential purchasers, wherein the price is associated with at least one of the different purchasing media types;
(f) converting the displayed price to at least one of the different purchasing media types; and
(g) permitting the at least one potential purchaser to bid on the at least one item with at least one of the different purchasing media types. - View Dependent Claims (44)
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Specification