US 2003/0195839 A1 · Interactive remote auction bidding system

Abstract

An interactive remote auction bidding system for conducting an auction utilizes a data input device for communication over a network to the auction site. The system includes a data processor located at the auction site for generating bid information for communication over the network to the remote locations. A processor located at the auction side monitors the participants' data input devices for sensing participant bids generated by the participants' data input devices. The system further displays visual bid information at the auction site for transmission over the network to the participants and generates audible bid information in support of that visual bid information.

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Claims32

Dependent claims

A method for conducting an auction to produce a winning bidder who receives the subject of the auction in exchange for the winning bid, the auction having bidders, where a plurality of bidders have data input devices for communicating over a first network to the auction site and wherein information from the auction site is broadcast to at least one of the plurality of bidders having data input devices over a second network, comprising;

generating an asking bid;
displaying at the auction site in real-time, the asking bid;
broadcasting in real-time over the second network the asking bid to at least one of the plurality of bidders having data input devices;
generating bid acceptance signals representing a desire to acquire the subject of the auction at a current bid by the bidders using the data input devices communicating over the first network to the auction site wherein at least one of the bidders using data input devices is a bid spotter acting as a bidder on behalf of a plurality of bidders, generating bid acceptance signals representing a desire to acquire the subject of the auction at a current bid by using the data input devices communicating over the network to the auction site and wherein if a bid spotter is the winning bidder, then the bidder on whose behalf the bid spotter made the winning bid is the bidder who receives the subject of the auction.;
beginning a bid acceptance time window in which to accept bid acceptance signals;
monitoring the first network for bid acceptance signals;
accepting a first bid acceptance signal after the bid acceptance time window begins;
terminating the bid acceptance time window after receiving the first bid acceptance signal and prior to receiving any subsequent bid acceptance signals;
identifying the bidder whose bid acceptance signal was accepted as the current bid;
changing the asking bid to the current bid;
repeating at least one additional cycle of generating, displaying, broadcasting, generating, beginning, monitoring, accepting, terminating, identifying, and changing, wherein each cycle starts with a new asking bid and ends with a new current bid which was the preceding new asking bid.

8 more elements

A method for conducting an auction to produce a winning bidder who receives the subject of the auction in exchange for the winning bid, the auction having bidders, where a plurality of bidders have data input devices for communicating over a first network to the auction site and wherein information from the auction site is broadcast to at least one of the plurality of bidders having data input devices over a second network, comprising;

generating an asking bid;
displaying at the auction site in real-time, the asking bid;
broadcasting in real-time over the second network the asking bid to at least one of the plurality of bidders having data input devices;
generating bid acceptance signals representing a desire to acquire the subject of the auction at a current bid by the bidders using the data input devices communicating over the first network to the auction site;
beginning a bid acceptance time window in which to accept bid acceptance signals;
monitoring the first network for bid acceptance signals;
accepting a first bid acceptance signal after the bid acceptance time window begins;
terminating the bid acceptance time window after receiving the first bid acceptance signal and prior to receiving any subsequent bid acceptance signals;
identifying the bidder whose bid acceptance signal was accepted as the current bid;
changing the asking bid to the current bid;
generating a response communicating confirmation of bid acceptance and communicating the response over the first network to the bidder having the current bid;
generating a response communicating that the bidder is no longer the high bidder over the first network to the bidder was the previous high bidder;
repeating at least one additional cycle of generating, displaying, broadcasting, generating, beginning, monitoring, accepting, terminating, identifying, and changing, wherein each cycle starts with a new asking bid and ends with a new current bid which was the preceding new asking bid.

10 more elements

A method for conducting an auction to produce a winning bidder who receives the subject of the auction in exchange for the winning bid, the auction having bidders, where a plurality of bidders each belonging to one of a plurality of groups of bidders have data input devices for communicating over a first network to the auction site and wherein information from the auction site is broadcast to at least one of the plurality of bidders having data input devices over a second network, comprising;

generating an asking bid;
displaying at the auction site in real-time, the asking bid;
broadcasting in real-time over the second network the asking bid to at least one of the plurality of bidders having data input devices;
generating bid acceptance signals representing a desire to acquire the subject of the auction at a current bid by the bidders using the data input devices communicating over the first network to the auction site;
beginning a first bid acceptance time window for a first group of bidders in which to accept bid acceptance signals after delaying a first controlled amount of time following broadcasting the asking bid;
monitoring the first network for bid acceptance signals;
beginning a second bid acceptance time window for a second group of bidders in which to accept bid acceptance signals after delaying a second controlled amount of time following broadcasting the asking bid wherein the second controlled amount of time is longer than the first controlled amount of time;
accepting a first bid acceptance signal after the first bid acceptance time window begins;
terminating all bid acceptance time windows after receiving the first bid acceptance signal and prior to receiving any subsequent bid acceptance signals;
identifying the bidder whose bid acceptance signal was accepted as the current bid;
changing the asking bid to the current bid;
repeating at least one additional cycle of generating, displaying, broadcasting, generating, beginning, monitoring, accepting, terminating, identifying, and changing, wherein each cycle starts with a new asking bid and ends with a new current bid which was the preceding new asking bid.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Description15,702 words

Summary962 words

#Not Applicable.

#The present invention relates to an interactive communications system, and more particularly, to an interactive remote auction bidding system allowing a plurality of bidders to participate in an auction on a real-time basis.

#Auction is a centuries old process. Scale (quantity of product and number of attendees) and reach (distance buyers or goods travel to participate in the auction) remain key factors determining success of an event. The more valuable the item, the more unique its market, the greater the distance product and buyer travel to achieve needed scale. Certain commodities (such as valuable equipment, boats, trophy properties, general aviation aircraft) apparently well suited to auction processes are rarely sold that way because of difficulty of achieving scale and reach while retaining live auction elements necessary to attract buyers. This applies specifically in both large equipment and with luxury or unique items which do not travel easily, but has more general application as well.

Brief description of the drawings6 figures

#For a more complete understanding of the present invention and for further advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following Description of the Preferred Embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings in which:

#FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the present system; and

#FIGS. 2-4 are flow charts illustrating the overall process of the present system.

Detailed description14,605 words

#Referring to FIG. 1, an interactive remote auction bidding system for conducting an auction among participants located at remote locations is illustrated, and is generally identified by the numeral 10. System 10 allows participants located at remote locations 12, 12a, 12b-12n to communicate with an auction site 14 via a communications network 16. Located at each remote site 12 is at least one data input device 18. Data input device 18 may comprise, for example, a conventional Touch Tone® telephone having a key pad which generates dual-tone multi-frequency signals (DTMF). Additionally, data input device 18 may include a cellular telephone, two-way pager, other radio wave transmitter/transponder, or personal computer, for generating bid acceptance data for communication over the network 16 to auction site 14.

#Each remote location 12 further includes a display device 20. Display device 20 receives information from auction site 14 via network 16, and may include, for example, a conventional television, a projection television in a theater setting, video telephone conferencing display, or a personal computer display. Communication between remote sites 12 and network 16 takes place over communications links 22, 22a, 22b-22n.

#While in the preferred embodiment, remote locations 12 are in geographically distant locations, one of skill in the art will recognize that the described system may have benefits for anybody who does not have direct visual or auditory contact with the auctioneer. Hence, participants in a separate building in the same complex, in a separate room in the same building, or even in the same hall but relying on a display device 20 or data input device 18 to successfully participate could constitute “remote” participants and such buildings, or rooms, or even portions of rooms serviced by such equipment could constitute “remote” locations.

Interactive remote auction bidding system

Life of this patent

Interactive remote auction bidding system

Life of this patent

Life of this patent

Abstract

Drawings

Drawings

Claims32

Description15,702 words

Drawings

Classification8 codes

Life of this patent

Description15,702 words