Data Processing System That Provides An Auction With Programmable Proxy Bids
First Claim
1. A method of conducting an auction in behalf of an auction solicitor and for a scope, the method comprising:
- entering, at the data processing system, a first plurality of bids into the auction, wherein each of the first plurality of bids is for a portion of the scope as partitioned in a first dimension, and wherein the first plurality of bids in aggregate is for all of the scope;
entering, at the data processing system, a second plurality of bids into the auction, wherein each of the second plurality of bids is for a portion of the scope as partitioned in a second dimension, and wherein the second plurality of bids in aggregate is for all of the scope;
outputting from the data processing system an indicium of which of (i) the first plurality of bids and (ii) the second plurality of bids is most advantageous to the auction solicitor.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In the context of computer-based auctions, innovations in proxy bids and auction formats are disclosed. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment, a bidder can program a data processing system to enter one or more bids by proxy. The capabilities offered by the data processing system include: determining one or more bid variables based, at least in part, on the identity of one or more bidders in an auction, or determining one or more bid variables based, at least in part, on the absence of one or more bidders from an auction, or determining one or more bid variables based, at least in part, on the bid variables in one or more other bids, or determining one or more bid variables based, at least in part, on the results of another auction, or determining one or more bid variables based, at least in part, on default values, or waiting a specific or random amount of time before entering a bid in behalf of a bidder, or any combination of these.
51 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method of conducting an auction in behalf of an auction solicitor and for a scope, the method comprising:
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entering, at the data processing system, a first plurality of bids into the auction, wherein each of the first plurality of bids is for a portion of the scope as partitioned in a first dimension, and wherein the first plurality of bids in aggregate is for all of the scope;
entering, at the data processing system, a second plurality of bids into the auction, wherein each of the second plurality of bids is for a portion of the scope as partitioned in a second dimension, and wherein the second plurality of bids in aggregate is for all of the scope;
outputting from the data processing system an indicium of which of (i) the first plurality of bids and (ii) the second plurality of bids is most advantageous to the auction solicitor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method of conducting a sealed-bid auction in behalf of an auction solicitor, which sealed-bid auction comprises a bidding phase and a resolution phase, the method comprising:
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entering, at a data processing system and during the bidding phase, a first plurality of sealed bids into the auction, wherein each of the first plurality of bids is for a portion of the scope as partitioned in a first dimension and the first plurality of bids in aggregate is for all of the scope;
entering, at the data processing system and during the bidding phase, a second plurality of sealed bids into the auction, wherein each of the second plurality of bids is for a portion of the scope as partitioned in a second dimension and the second plurality of bids in aggregate is for all of the scope; and
outputting, from the data processing system and before the resolution phase, the ranking of the advantageousness of the first plurality of sealed bids and the second plurality of sealed bids to the auction solicitor. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8)
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9. A method comprising:
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entering, at a data processing system, a first bid into a first auction in behalf of a first bidder;
receiving, at the data processing system, a bid package that directs the data processing system to prepare, after the first auction is completed, a second bid for a second auction, wherein the second bid is based, at least in part, on whether the first bidder has won the first auction or not won the first auction;
determining, at the data processing system, whether the first bidder has won the first auction or not won the first auction;
preparing, at the data processing system, the second bid based, at least in part, on whether the first bidder has won the first auction or not won the first auction;
entering, at the data processing system, the second bid into the second auction in behalf of the first bidder; and
determining, at the data processing system, whether the first bidder has won the second auction or not won the second auction. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification