METHOD AND APPARATUS OF INTERACTIVE BIDDING
First Claim
1. A method for automating an auction comprising the steps of:
- providing a secure server configured to manage the auction;
accepting at least one initial bid from at least one of a plurality of participants wherein each of the initial bids is assigned to an item in the auction;
associating each participant with an identifier;
determining a winning bidder for each of the items in the auction based on the initial bids assigned to each of the items; and
automatically identifying the winning bidder using the identifier.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for automating an auction is provided that includes a secure server, at least one device for entering data, and software executing on both the server and the device. A participant is able to enter bidding information in each device. Bids from each participant are managed, the winning bidder is determined, and the current status of the auction is maintained. Each participant can individually receive the status of the items they bid on and the general auction status is also available for display. The auction status may be displayed at each device or optionally on a projection system. At the close of auction, the winning bids for each participant are compiled and listed for ease of payment.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for automating an auction comprising the steps of:
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providing a secure server configured to manage the auction; accepting at least one initial bid from at least one of a plurality of participants wherein each of the initial bids is assigned to an item in the auction; associating each participant with an identifier; determining a winning bidder for each of the items in the auction based on the initial bids assigned to each of the items; and automatically identifying the winning bidder using the identifier. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13)
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10. The method of clam 9, wherein the initial and the corresponding maximum bids are the same bid.
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14. A method for automating an auction comprising the steps of:
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providing a secure server configured to manage the auction; providing at least one device to accept at least one input from a plurality of participants, wherein the input includes personal information; assigning each of the plurality of participants a unique participant identifier; accepting at least one initial bid and a corresponding maximum bid from each of a plurality of participants wherein each of the initial and the corresponding maximum bids is assigned to an item in the auction; directly updating the participants of a bid status of the item; and determining a winning bidder for each of the items in the auction based on the initial and the corresponding maximum bids assigned to the item. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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17. An apparatus for automating an auction comprising:
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a secure server configured to manage the auction; at least one device to accept bidding information from at least one of a plurality of participants; and software wherein the software accepts an initial bid and a corresponding maximum bid on at least one item, wherein the software stores each of the initial and the corresponding maximum bids on each of the items in the auction, wherein the software updates the participants regarding a bid status corresponding to the item, and wherein the software determines a winning bidder of the item in the auction based on the initial and the corresponding maximum bids assigned to the item. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification