Method and kit for conducting an auction

• US 5,803,500 A
• Filed: 03/27/1997
• Issued: 09/08/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: The Gavel Group Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Bjorn E.F. Mossberg
• Inventors: Mossberg, Bjorn E. F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Fridie, Jr., Willmon
• Application Number:
  US08/825,250
• Time in Patent Office: 530 Days
• Field of Search: 283/81, 283/67, 283/70, 283/48.1, 283/49, 283/51, 283/60.1, 283/60.2, 283/66.1, 283/66.2, 283/115, 283/117
• US Class Current: 283/67
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 12/00 Book-keeping books, forms or arrangements B42D11/00 takes precedence

Abstract

A method and kit for conducting a silent or live auction or some combination thereof. The method includes identifying each potential bidder, auction item, and potential sales prices with a unique identification code that is machine readable using optical or electronic means. The codes are most preferably bar codes that may be read using a standard retail industry scanner. The codes are printed on adhesive labels for use by the bidders in placing bids on auction items. A bid may be placed on an item by affixing the appropriate labels to a bid sheet. Bid sheets may be prepared with item codes and descriptions.

Claims

1. A method for conducting an auction comprising the steps of:

identifying each of a plurality of potential bidders with a unique bidder code, said bidder code having a machine readable representation;

identifying each of a plurality of different auction items and each group of identical auction items with a unique item code, said item code having a machine readable representation;

identifying each of a plurality of incremental bid prices with a unique price code, said price code having a machine readable representation;

recording the sale of each item by recording the item, bidder and price codes defining the sale.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of preparing an invoice for each successful bidder, the invoice having the sum of the purchase prices of the sales associated with the bidder'"'"'s code.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the invoice is prepared before the auction'"'"'s conclusion.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of providing potential bidders with means for bidding by registering their bidder codes in association with an auction item.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein potential bidders are provided with their respective bidder code printed on adhesive labels.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of preparing a bid sheet for an item, the sheet provided with the item code, multiple price codes representing various incremental values and spaces in association with each price code for registering a bidder code.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of preparing a bid sheet, the sheet provided with the item code and spaces for registering a bidder code and the bidder'"'"'s desired price code.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of preparing a bid sheet for a group of identical auction items offered for sale at a fixed price, the sheet provided with an item code, price code and spaces for bidders to register a bidder code.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of preparing a bid sheet, the sheet provided with spaces for registering an item code, a bidder code and the bidder'"'"'s desired price code.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein each sale is recorded by reading the machine readable representation of the bidder, item and price codes with optical or electronic means and storing the codes in a database.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of entering into the database before the auction an item description for each item code and bidder identifying data for each bidder code.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of entering into a database a potential or successful bidder'"'"'s credit or debit card account information to facilitate obtaining payment from the bidder.

13. A kit for conducting an auction comprising,

a bidder code for each of a plurality of potential bidders, said bidder code having a machine readable representation;

an item code for each of a plurality of auction items and for each group of identical auction items, said item code having a machine readable representation;

a price code for each of a plurality of incremental bid prices, said price code having a machine readable representation;

means for recording each sale as defined by the bidder, item and price codes associated with the sale; and

means for preparing an invoice for each successful bidder, the invoice having the sum of the sales associated with the bidder.

14. The kit of claim 13, further comprising a printer.

15. The kit of claim 13, further comprising means for registering bidder codes in association with an auction item.

16. The kit of claim 15, wherein the means for bidding by registering bidder codes is a bid sheet for an item, the sheet provided with the item code, multiple price codes representing various incremental values and spaces in association with each price code for registering a bidder code.

17. The kit of claim 15, wherein the means for registering bidder codes is a bid sheet, the sheet provided with the item code and spaces for registering a bidder code and the bidder'"'"'s desired price code.

18. The kit of claim 15, wherein the means for registering bidder codes is a bid sheet, the sheet provided with spaces for registering an item code, a bidder code and the bidder'"'"'s desired price code.

19. The kit of claim 15, wherein the means for registering bidder codes is a bid sheet for a group of identical auction items offered for sale at a fixed price, the sheet provided with an item code, item price and spaces for bidders to register a bidder code.

20. The kit of claim 15, wherein bidder, item and price codes are printed on adhesive labels.

21. The kit of claim 13, wherein the means for recording the bidder, item and price codes comprise an optical or electronic device for reading the codes and a computer database for storing the codes.

22. The kit of claim 21, wherein the computer database contains a description for each item code and bidder identifying data for each bidder code.

23. The kit of claim 13, wherein the means for preparing a successful bidder'"'"'s invoice or a report of auction sales is a data processing program.