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Computer implemented methods and apparatus for auctions

  • US 5,905,975 A
  • Filed: 01/02/1997
  • Issued: 05/18/1999
  • Est. Priority Date: 01/04/1996
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A dynamic flexible computer implemented auction system comprisinga) at least two intelligent systems including an auctioneer'"'"'s and at least one user system, the auctioneer'"'"'s system communicatively coupled to each user system,b) each user system providing an interface with:

  • b1) means for receiving messages from the auctioneer'"'"'s system and for displaying those messages,b2) means for receiving flexible bid information from a user and for transmitting the flexible bid information to a user data base,c) said auctioneer'"'"'s system providing;

    c1) means for generating and transmitting messages to each user system,c2) means for generating queries for each user data base and for receiving answers to the queries from each user data base,c3) decision means responsive to the answers from the user data base for determining if an auction should continue or not,c31) said decision means initiating the generation of another message to at least one user system in response to a determination to continue the auction, andc32) said decision means initiating the generation of a final message to at least one user system in response to a determination not to continue the auction, andd) said auction system further comprising a user data base for each user system, said user data base includingd1) means for receiving and storing the flexible bid information for a user system,d2) means for receiving queries from the auctioneer'"'"'s system and for generating and passing answers comprising information based on said flexible bid information to the auctioneer system in response to queries from the auctioneer'"'"'s system.

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