Systems and methods for automated internet-based auctions
First Claim
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1. A method comprising:
- receiving, via a processor in an electronic auction system, bids for an item, in which each bid comprises a bid amount and an identity of the bidder, in which at least one bid is a smart bid that automatically outbids all other bids by an incremental amount until a maximum amount is reached;
generating, via the processor, an animated character that appears on a monitor of a bidder'"'"'s workstation, in which the animated character announces;
a current status of the received bids;
a start time and end time for the electronic auction a minimum bid amount for the item; and
a minimum incremental amount for each bid;
computing, via the processor after an auction period has ended, a winning bid from among the received bids, in which the winning bid has a highest bid amount at the end of the auction period; and
transmitting, via the processor, an indication of the winning bid to a remote device that is in electronic communication with the processor over a network.
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Abstract
The present invention relates to systems and 5 methods for implementing an automated auction process that is held at a designated time on the Internet, and that ends after bidding has been completed. In accordance with these systems and methods, a server connected to a plurality of workstations may establish 10 several auctions that allow for efficient trading of multiple goods, while simulating the live and dynamic setting of traditional auctions.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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receiving, via a processor in an electronic auction system, bids for an item, in which each bid comprises a bid amount and an identity of the bidder, in which at least one bid is a smart bid that automatically outbids all other bids by an incremental amount until a maximum amount is reached; generating, via the processor, an animated character that appears on a monitor of a bidder'"'"'s workstation, in which the animated character announces; a current status of the received bids; a start time and end time for the electronic auction a minimum bid amount for the item; and a minimum incremental amount for each bid; computing, via the processor after an auction period has ended, a winning bid from among the received bids, in which the winning bid has a highest bid amount at the end of the auction period; and transmitting, via the processor, an indication of the winning bid to a remote device that is in electronic communication with the processor over a network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method comprising:
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receiving, via a processor in an electronic auction system, bids for an item, in which each bid comprises a bid amount and an identity of the bidder, in which at least one bid is a smart bid that automatically outbids all other bids by an incremental amount until a maximum amount is reached; generating, via the processor, an animated character that appears on a monitor of a bidder'"'"'s workstation, in which the animated character announces a current status of the received bids, in which the animated character announces; a start time and end time for the electronic auction;
a minimum bidamount for the item;
a minimum incremental amount for each bid; and
an amount of a current highest bid;computing, via the processor after an auction period, a winning bid from among the received bids; computing, via the processor, that a bidder of the winning bid has submitted more bids to the electronic auction system than a bidder of at least one other bid, in which the at least one other bid also has the highest bid amount at the end of the auction period; and transmitting, via the processor, an indication of the winning bid to a remote device that is in electronic communication with the processor over a network. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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14. An apparatus comprising:
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a processor; and a memory, in which the memory stores instructions which, when executed by the processor, direct the processor to; receive, an electronic auction system, bids for an item, in which each bid comprises a bid amount and an identity of the bidder, in which at least one bid is a smart bid that automatically outbids all other bids by an incremental amount until a maximum amount is reached; generate an animated character that appears on a monitor of a bidder'"'"'s workstation, in which the animated character announces a current status of the received bids, in which the animated character announces; a start time and end time for the electronic auction;
a minimum bid amount for the item;
a minimum incremental amount for each bid; and
an amount of a current highest bid;after an auction period has ended, compute a winning bid from among the received bids, in which the winning bid has a highest bid amount at the end of the auction period; and transmit an indication of the winning bid. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. An article of manufacture
comprising: a tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium that stores instructions which, when executed by a computing device, direct the computing device to; receive, in an electronic auction system, bids for an item, in which each bid comprises a bid amount and an identity of the bidder, in which at least one bid is a smart bid that automatically outbids all other bids by an incremental amount until a maximum amount is reached; generate an animated character that appears on a monitor of a bidder'"'"'s workstation, in which the animated character announces a current status of the received bids, in which the animated character announces; a start time and end time for the electronic auction;
a minimum bid amount for the item;
a minimum incremental amount for each bid;and an amount of a current highest bid; compute, after expiration of an auction period. a winning bid from among the received bids; and transmit an indication of the winning bid. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
Specification