초록 ▼

A system and method for conducting a multi-person, interactive auction, in a variety of formats, without using a human auctioneer to conduct the auction. The system is preferably implemented in software. The system allows a group of bidders to interactively place bids over a computer or communicatio

A system and method for conducting a multi-person, interactive auction, in a variety of formats, without using a human auctioneer to conduct the auction. The system is preferably implemented in software. The system allows a group of bidders to interactively place bids over a computer or communications network. Those bids are recorded by the system and the bidders are updated with the current auction status information. When appropriate, the system closes the auction from further bidding and notifies the winning bidders and losers as to the auction outcome.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A computer system for conducting auctions over a computer network, comprising:a posting means for posting on a computer merchandise information describing each lot of a plurality of lots that are available for bidding by a plurality of bidders, each lot including at lea

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A computer system for conducting auctions over a computer network, comprising:a posting means for posting on a computer merchandise information describing each lot of a plurality of lots that are available for bidding by a plurality of bidders, each lot including at least one item;an auction selection means for associating each lot of the plurality of lots with an auction format selected from a plurality of available auction formats;a bid receiving means for receiving a bid related to at least a portion of a lot of the plurality of lots; anda bid categorization means for automatically categorizing the received bid as successful or unsuccessful in accordance with the selected auction format for the lot.