Computer implemented methods and apparatus for auctions
First Claim
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.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A computer implemented system and method of executing an auction. The system has at least two intelligent systems, one for the auctioneer and at least one for a user. The auction is conducted by the auctioneer'"'"'s system communications with the user system(s). The auctioneer'"'"'s system contains information from the user system(s) based on bid information entered by the user(s). With this information the auctioneer'"'"'s system determines whether the auction can be concluded or not and appropriate messages are transmitted to the user(s).
1110 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A dynamic flexible computer implemented auction system comprising
a) 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, and c32) 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, and d) said auction system further comprising a user data base for each user system, said user data base including d1) 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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. A dynamic flexible computer implemented auction method implemented in an auction system comprising at least two intelligent systems including an auctioneer'"'"'s and at least one user system, the auctioneer'"'"'s system communicatively coupled to all of the user systems, each said user system providing an interface for receiving messages from the auctioneer'"'"'s system and for displaying those messages, for receiving flexible bid information and transmitting the flexible bid information to a user data base, said auctioneer'"'"'s system for generating and transmitting messages to each systems, for generating queries for user data bases and for receiving answers to the queries from user data bases, said method comprising the steps of:
-
a) initiating an auction with a message sent to each user system containing information related to the auction and soliciting bids, b) entering flexible bid information into at least one user system and storing said flexible bid information in a user data base, c) querying at least one user data base for an answer, said query including at least one query parameter, d) generating a answer to said query at a user data base based on the query parameter and the contents of the user data base where the answer includes at least one answer parameter, e) evaluating an answer at the auctioneer'"'"'s system to determine if additional querying should occur before a new message is sent to at least one user system, e1) in the event that additional querying should occur before a new message is sent, querying at least one user data base with a query containing at least one modified parameter, e2) in the event that no additional querying should occur before a new message is sent, evaluating answers received at the auctioneer'"'"'s system to determine if the auction should continue, e3) in the event that the auction is continued, sending a new message to at least one user system, e4) in the event that the auction is not continued, sending a final message to at least one user system containing the results of the auction, and f) repeating steps c)-e) until it is determined that the auction should not continue. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. A computer implemented auction method implemented in an auction system comprising at least two intelligent systems including an auctioneer'"'"'s and at least one user system, the auctioneer'"'"'s system communicatively coupled to all of the user systems, each of said user systems providing an interface for receiving messages from the auctioneer'"'"'s system and for displaying those messages, for receiving bid information and transmitting the bid information to a user data base, said auctioneer'"'"'s system for generating and transmitting messages to user systems, for generating queries for user data bases and for receiving answers to the queries from user data bases, said method comprising the sequential steps of:
-
a) initiating an auction with a message sent to each user system containing information related to the auction and soliciting bids, b) entering bid information into each user system and storing said bid information in a user data base, c) querying at least one user data base for an answer to a query, said query including at least one query parameter, where at least one said query addresses less than all of said bid information, d) generating an answer to said query at a user data base based on the query parameter and the contents of the user data base where the answer includes at least one answer parameter, e) evaluating an answer at the auctioneer'"'"'s system to determine if additional querying should occur, e1) in the event that additional querying should occur, querying at least one user data base with a query containing at least one modified parameter, e2) in the event that no additional querying should occur, evaluating answers received at the auctioneer'"'"'s system to determine the results of the auction and sending a final message to at least one user system containing the results of the auction, and f) repeating steps c)-e) until it is determined that no additional querying should occur. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
Specification