System and method for enhanced online transactions using shopping games

• US 6,468,159 B1
• Filed: 08/18/2000
• Issued: 10/22/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/18/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: LSF Network
• Original Assignee: Cariocas
• Inventors: Tennenholtz, Moshe, Shoham, Yoav, La Mura, Pierfrancesco
• Primary Examiner(s): Harrison, Jessica
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHERUBIN, YVESTE GILBERTE
• Application Number:
  US09/643,890
• Time in Patent Office: 795 Days
• Field of Search: 463/42, 463/40, 463/1, 463/9, 705/37, 725/24, 725/141, 273/459, 273/461, 273/429-432
• US Class Current: 463/42
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/08 Auctions

Abstract

An enhanced system and method for carrying out online transactions and auctions using a “shopping games” mechanism module is disclosed. The shopping games system provides for a mechanism scheme allowing “game moves” as well as bidding and message exchanging moves. The participants of the system may engage in game play in conjunction with an auction process to provide an entertaining and amusing environment for participants to carry out online transactions without limiting the participants to traditional auction “moves”.

Claims

1. In a computer device, an online shopping game system having at least one seller and at least one buyer, said transaction system comprising:

a) an interface module configured to provide a user interface between the associated with participant actions made by the seller and the buyer in conjunction with a sale of an item by the seller; and

seller and the buyer, said interface module further configured to manage transactions

b) a mechanism module operatively coupled for communication with said interface module, said mechanism module defining a set of legal moves which may be issued as a transaction by the seller and the buyer, said set of legal moves including auction moves and non-auction game moves, said non-auction game moves carried in conjunction with the sale of the item by the seller.

2. The shopping game system of claim 1, wherein said game moves affect an element of the sale of the item.

3. The shopping game system of claim 2, wherein said sale element is a pool of prospective bidders who are allowed to bid on the item of sale.

4. The shopping game system of claim 2, wherein said sale element is information which is revealed to the bidder.

5. The shopping game system of claim 2, wherein said sale element is the terms of the sale.

6. The shopping game system of claim 1, wherein said game moves culminate in a game result, said game result affecting an element of the sale of the item.

7. The shopping game system of claim 6, wherein said sale element is a pool of prospective bidders who are allowed to bid on the item of sale.

8. The shopping game system of claim 6, wherein said sale element is information which is revealed to the bidder.

9. The shopping game system of claim 6, wherein said sale element is the terms of the sale.

10. In a computer device, an online auction and game transaction system having at least one seller and at least one buyer, said transaction system comprising:

a) an auction module configured to list at least one item for sale by a seller and to receive at least one bid submitted by a buyer for the item for sale, said auction module further configured to close the item for sale upon a predetermined event defined by the seller;

b) a game module comprising at least one game operatively coupled for simultaneous communication with said auction module, said game associated with the item for sale by the seller, said game further configured for play by the buyer submitting the bid for the item for sale, said game further configured to produce a game outcome according to play activity performed by the buyer, said game outcome affecting the terms of the sale for the item.

11. The online transaction system of claim 10, wherein said game comprises a trivia game, said trivia game configured to present to said buyer a trivia question and a plurality of answer choices, one of which is the correct answer, said trivia game further configured to receive from said buyer an answer selection and generate a game result, said game result affecting the terms of the sale for the item.

12. The online transaction system of claim 11, wherein said game result is a price rebate for the item for sale.

13. In a computer device, an online auction and non-auction game system comprising:

an auction module;

a non-auction game module operatively coupled to said auction module, said auction module simultaneously operates with said non-auction game module;

wherein said auction module influences said non-auction game module and said non-auction game module influences said auction module.

14. The system as in claim 13, wherein said auction module affects participant actions within said non-auction game module, and said non-auction game module affects participant actions within said auction module.

15. The system as in claim 14, wherein said auction module participant actions include bidding moves and clearing moves.

16. An online auction and non-auction game system comprising:

an auction module configured to list at least one item for sale by a seller and to recieve at least one bid submitted by a buyer for the item for sale;

a non-auction game module including at least one non-auction game operatively coupled for simultaneous communication operation with said auction module, said non-auction game associated with the item for sale by the seller, said game configured for participant action by at least one of the seller and the buyer, said non-auction game module further configured to produce a non-auction game outcome according to participant action performed by at least one of the seller and the buyer, said non-auction game outcome affecting the auction module.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein said non-auction game outcome affects a sale of said at least one item for sale by the seller.