Real time auction with end game

• US 20090281913A1
• Filed: 05/12/2009
• Published: 11/12/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Advanced Auctions LLC
• Original Assignee: Harris Technology LLC
• Inventors: Harris, Scott C.
• Granted Patent: US 8,423,416 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/26
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/08 Auctions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/03 Credit; Loans; Processing thereof

Abstract

A real time auction system operates in a non real time mode, and an end game mode in which the users are placed in a forum. In both modes the users are capable of placing bids along with times when those bids should be executed. An agent treats the bids as secret until the time, and then at the time executes those bids.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

using a computer for accepting bids from a plurality of different users to submit bids for a specified item being auctioned;

using said computer for defining rules for actions in said auction, said rules including at least a time when the action will take place, and an action that will take place at the defined time;

saving the rule in said computer and keeping the rule including the action and the defined time secret until the defined time; and

at the defined time, using the computer for carrying out said action in the auction.

2. A method as in claim 1, wherein said actions are bids to take place at the defined time, and said computer automatically places the bid in the auction at the defined time.

3. A method as in claim 1, wherein said actions are allowing override of a previous bid, and said computer automatically overrides the bid at the defined time.

4. A method of conducting an auction over a network, comprising:

receiving information from a server computer at a local computer, which information enables the local computer to carry out a first function associated with bidding on an item, wherein said information includes information about a bid amount which will be necessary for the user at the local computer to overcome a bid by another on an auction item, where said information is stored by said local computer but is not shown to a user of said local computer;

entering information for a bid at the local computer;

using the local computer for making a decision to accept or reject said bid from a user at the local computer based on said information about bid amount; and

only if the new bid is accepted at said local computer, sending information about the new bid from the local computer to the server computer,

wherein said accepting a bid comprises comparing a local bid to said information about bid amount, and sending said information to said server computer only when said local bid is higher than a number set forth in said information about bid amount.

5. A method as in claim 4, wherein said information includes information about a bid amount which will be necessary for the user at the local computer to be a highest bidder, and wherein said accepting a bid comprises using the computer for comparing a local bid to said highest bid information, and sending said information to said server computer only when said local bid is higher than said highest bid information.

6. A method as in claim 4, further comprising automatically receiving information about a new highest bid information and updating said highest bid information.

7. A method of conducting an auction over a network, comprising:

using a computer for receiving information about an item for sale;

using the computer for displaying said information about said item for sale;

using the computer for entering information to purchase the item;

using the computer for automatically receiving new information and automatically updating said displaying using said new information, without requiring a user to execute a manual actuation.

8. A method as in claim 7, wherein said automatically updating comprises automatically refreshing a Web browser without requiring a refresh actuation by the user.

9. A method as in claim 7, wherein said automatically updating comprising using streaming video to form certain parts of said view.

10. A method as in claim 7, wherein said automatically updating comprises using stop motion video to form certain parts of said view.

11. A method as in claim 7, further comprising determining an action representing a change in an item, and wherein said automatically updating is responsive to said determining.

12. A method comprising:

conducting an auction over a network by using a computer for accepting bids for items, and establishing a highest bid for an item as being a winning bid; and

using the computer for determining whether a bid has been received within a predetermined period of time before an end time of an auction less favorably than bids received prior to said predetermined period.

13. A method as in claim 12, further comprising displaying information allowing a seller to select an amount of time defining said predetermined period.

14. A method as in claim 12, further comprising determining a bid received within said predetermined period of time that was placed by a bidder who has previously participated in other bids prior to said predetermined period of time, and not treating said bid by said bidder less favorably.

15. A method as in claim 14, wherein said conducting comprises accepting bids in a first way which keeps bids at a lower level less than a maximum bid but high enough to win a specified auction, and said treating comprises accepting bids at a maximum amount without keeping them at said lower level.

16. A method comprising:

conducting an auction over a network by accepting bids for items, and establishing a highest bid for an item as being a winning bid;

determining identities of bidders bidding during said conducting; and

treating a bid from bidders whose identities have not been determined by said determining, and which bids are received within a predetermined period of time before an end time of an auction, less favorably than bids received prior to said predetermined period.