Computer Controlled auction system

• US 20050144115A1
• Filed: 02/17/2005
• Published: 06/30/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/23/1996
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Live Nation Entertainment Incorporated
• Original Assignee: ITA Investments, LLC
• Inventors: Brett, Kenton F.
• Granted Patent: US 7,747,507 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/37
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/02 Reservations, e.g. for tickets, services or events
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/367 involving electronic purses or money safes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/08 Auctions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/03 Credit; Loans; Processing thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/04 Trading; Exchange, e.g. stocks, commodities, derivatives or currency exchange
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1809 for auctioneering devices

Abstract

An automated ticket auctioning system receives and evaluates bid information records received from a plurality of remote terminals. Each bid information record corresponds to at least one bid for one or more desired seats at a venue. Each bid information record may also include a plurality of additional bids identified for different seats in the venue. The separate bids in each bid information record are prioritized. The automated ticket auctioning system includes a central controlling computer operable to receive the bid information records and determine, in order of priority, whether any of the bids in a bid information record is accepted. If one bid in a bid information record is accepted, all lower priority bids in that bid information record are dismissed.

Claims

1. A method of conducting an automated ticket auction, the method comprising:

a. receiving a prioritized bid including

i. a first priority bid that includes first location information, first ticket quantity information, and first bid amount information; and

ii. at least one second priority bid that includes at least one second location information, at least one second ticket quantity information, and at least one second bid amount information;

b. activating the first priority bid during the automated ticket auction;

c. automatically activating the at least one second priority bid if the first bid is rejected during the auction.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one second priority bid includes a second priority bid and a third priority bid.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the first location information and the at least one second location information is defined by an area shown on a participant terminal screen.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the first location information and the at least one second location information is defined on the participant terminal screen using a mouse.