CA2326346A1 - Method of bidding at live auction via the internet - Google Patents
Method of bidding at live auction via the internet Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2326346A1 CA2326346A1 CA 2326346 CA2326346A CA2326346A1 CA 2326346 A1 CA2326346 A1 CA 2326346A1 CA 2326346 CA2326346 CA 2326346 CA 2326346 A CA2326346 A CA 2326346A CA 2326346 A1 CA2326346 A1 CA 2326346A1
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- CA
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- Prior art keywords
- internet
- representative
- bid
- bidders
- bidder
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- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06Q30/00—Commerce
- G06Q30/06—Buying, selling or leasing transactions
- G06Q30/08—Auctions
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- Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
- Finance (AREA)
- Accounting & Taxation (AREA)
- Marketing (AREA)
- Development Economics (AREA)
- Economics (AREA)
- Entrepreneurship & Innovation (AREA)
- Strategic Management (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
- Management, Administration, Business Operations System, And Electronic Commerce (AREA)
Abstract
A method of bidding at live auctions via the Internet, includes a step of positioning at a live auction a representative having a computer connected to the Internet.
A further step involves connecting interested Internet bidders via the Internet with the computer of the representative. Each Internet bidder has a unique bidder identifier. A further step involves communicating to the internet bidders via the internet a current bid and, where a current bid holder is one of the internet bidders, the unique bidder identifier of the current bid holder. A final step involves receiving multiple bids from internet bidders via the internet. The computer of the representative is programmed to identify which one of the multiple bids is to be communicated by the representative to an auctioneer during the live auction.
A further step involves connecting interested Internet bidders via the Internet with the computer of the representative. Each Internet bidder has a unique bidder identifier. A further step involves communicating to the internet bidders via the internet a current bid and, where a current bid holder is one of the internet bidders, the unique bidder identifier of the current bid holder. A final step involves receiving multiple bids from internet bidders via the internet. The computer of the representative is programmed to identify which one of the multiple bids is to be communicated by the representative to an auctioneer during the live auction.
Description
TITLE OF THE INVENTION:
Method Of Bidding At Live Auctions Via The Internet FIELD'OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method for a person at a remote location to place a bid at a live auction via the Internet.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Auction houses that deal with high priced items make special provisions for the participation via telephone of persons unable to attend their live auction. For example, this service is described at the web site of Christie' s (trade mark) as follows:
"If you want to feel as though you were in the room when you bid, even if you are miles away, try telephone bidding. To arrange phone bidding, simply contact Christie's at least one day before the sale.
Christie's will call you during the auction when the property you are interested in comes up. You'll be involved in the auction action as your Christie's representative relays your bids."
An even wider group of potential bidders could be reached if provision could be made for participation via the Internet.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
What is required is a method of bidding at live auctions via the Internet.
According to the present invention there is provided a method of bidding at live auctions via the Internet, which includes a step of positioning at a live auction a representative having a computer connected to the Internet.
A further step involves connecting interested Internet bidders via the Internet with the computer of the representative. Each Internet bidder has a unique bidder ident i t a er . A further step involves communicating to the Internet bidders via the Internet a current bid and, where a current bid holder is one of the Internet bidders, the unique bidder identifier of the current bid holder. A final step involves receiving multiple bids from Internet bidders via the Internet. The computer of the representative is programmed to identify which one of the multiple bids is to be communicated by the representative to an auctioneer during the live auction.
With the method, as described above, a single representative positioned at the auction can represent an unlimited number of Internet bidders positioned at remote locations and connected via the Internet.
There are various ways in which the computer could be programmed to identify which one of the multiple bids to be communicated by the representative to the auctioneer. The preferred way is for the computer of the representative to rank the multiple bids based upon the order in which each of the multiple bids is received.
Although beneficial results may be obtained through the use of the method, as described above, in order to avoid confusion it is preferred that there be communicated to the Internet bidders both the current bid and a bid increment.
Displaying the bid increment makes it clear to the Internet bidder the next incremental level to which the bid is headed.
Although beneficial results may be obtained through the use of the method, as described above, at an auction events flow quickly. Even more beneficial results may, therefore, be obtained when provision is made for a single key stroke bid entry. This "one click" style of entry permits an Internet bidder to keep pace with the fast pace of a live auction and eliminates entry errors.
Method Of Bidding At Live Auctions Via The Internet FIELD'OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method for a person at a remote location to place a bid at a live auction via the Internet.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Auction houses that deal with high priced items make special provisions for the participation via telephone of persons unable to attend their live auction. For example, this service is described at the web site of Christie' s (trade mark) as follows:
"If you want to feel as though you were in the room when you bid, even if you are miles away, try telephone bidding. To arrange phone bidding, simply contact Christie's at least one day before the sale.
Christie's will call you during the auction when the property you are interested in comes up. You'll be involved in the auction action as your Christie's representative relays your bids."
An even wider group of potential bidders could be reached if provision could be made for participation via the Internet.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
What is required is a method of bidding at live auctions via the Internet.
According to the present invention there is provided a method of bidding at live auctions via the Internet, which includes a step of positioning at a live auction a representative having a computer connected to the Internet.
A further step involves connecting interested Internet bidders via the Internet with the computer of the representative. Each Internet bidder has a unique bidder ident i t a er . A further step involves communicating to the Internet bidders via the Internet a current bid and, where a current bid holder is one of the Internet bidders, the unique bidder identifier of the current bid holder. A final step involves receiving multiple bids from Internet bidders via the Internet. The computer of the representative is programmed to identify which one of the multiple bids is to be communicated by the representative to an auctioneer during the live auction.
With the method, as described above, a single representative positioned at the auction can represent an unlimited number of Internet bidders positioned at remote locations and connected via the Internet.
There are various ways in which the computer could be programmed to identify which one of the multiple bids to be communicated by the representative to the auctioneer. The preferred way is for the computer of the representative to rank the multiple bids based upon the order in which each of the multiple bids is received.
Although beneficial results may be obtained through the use of the method, as described above, in order to avoid confusion it is preferred that there be communicated to the Internet bidders both the current bid and a bid increment.
Displaying the bid increment makes it clear to the Internet bidder the next incremental level to which the bid is headed.
Although beneficial results may be obtained through the use of the method, as described above, at an auction events flow quickly. Even more beneficial results may, therefore, be obtained when provision is made for a single key stroke bid entry. This "one click" style of entry permits an Internet bidder to keep pace with the fast pace of a live auction and eliminates entry errors.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other features of the invention will become more apparent from the following description in which reference is made to the appended drawings, the drawings are for the purpose of illustration only and are not intended to in any way limit the scope of the invention to the particular embodiment or embodiments shown, wherein:
FIGURE 1 is a schematic diagram of a method of bidding at live auctions via the Internet in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
FIGURE 2 is a front elevation view of a computer display of an Internet bidder.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The preferred method of bidding at live auctions via the Internet will now be described with reference to FIGURES 1 and 2.
Structure and Relationship of Parts:
Referring to FIGURE 1, there is illustrated a live auction generally referenced by numeral 10 that includes an auctioneer 12, and an item 14 to be auctioned off. A first step involves positioning a representative 16 who has a computer 18 connected to the Internet 20 at live auction 10 prior to commencement of live auction 10. A further step involves connecting computers 22 of interested Internet bidders 24 from a remote location to computer 18 of representative 16 via Internet 20. An unlimited number of interested Internet bidders 24 can be connected from a remote locale via Internet 20 to computer 18 of single representative 16 in attendance at live auction 10. Each Internet bidder 24 who participates in live auction 10 is assigned a unique bidder identifier, as will be further described in relation to FIGURE 2.
These and other features of the invention will become more apparent from the following description in which reference is made to the appended drawings, the drawings are for the purpose of illustration only and are not intended to in any way limit the scope of the invention to the particular embodiment or embodiments shown, wherein:
FIGURE 1 is a schematic diagram of a method of bidding at live auctions via the Internet in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
FIGURE 2 is a front elevation view of a computer display of an Internet bidder.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The preferred method of bidding at live auctions via the Internet will now be described with reference to FIGURES 1 and 2.
Structure and Relationship of Parts:
Referring to FIGURE 1, there is illustrated a live auction generally referenced by numeral 10 that includes an auctioneer 12, and an item 14 to be auctioned off. A first step involves positioning a representative 16 who has a computer 18 connected to the Internet 20 at live auction 10 prior to commencement of live auction 10. A further step involves connecting computers 22 of interested Internet bidders 24 from a remote location to computer 18 of representative 16 via Internet 20. An unlimited number of interested Internet bidders 24 can be connected from a remote locale via Internet 20 to computer 18 of single representative 16 in attendance at live auction 10. Each Internet bidder 24 who participates in live auction 10 is assigned a unique bidder identifier, as will be further described in relation to FIGURE 2.
Referring to FIGURE 2, upon commencement of auction 10, a further step involves representative 16 communicating to Internet bidders 24 via Internet 20 information respecting live auction 10. Information communicated includes current bid 28, a bid increment 30 and, where a current bid holder is one of the Internet bidders 24, a unique bidder identifier 26 of the current bid holder. In the illustration, current bid 28 is shown as $4000, bidder identifier 26 shows 2367 and bid increment is shown as $50. Other information such as a picture 32 of item 14 being auctioned or any other desired information can also be displayed. Displaying bid increment 30 makes it clear to Internet bidder 24 the next incremental level to which the bid is headed. In this way, Internet bidder 24 is always kept informed as to the item being auctioned and the current bid. The use of the bidder identifier 26 enables the Internet bidder to know whether he or she has the current bid. This avoids confusion in which the Internet bidder attempts to raise his or her current bid or fails to bid in the mistaken belief that he or she holds the current bid.
A further step involves accepting a bid from one of the Internet bidders 24 through a single key stroke bid entry 34 in which one Internet bidder 24 turns bid increment 30 into a bid with a single key stroke entry 34. In the illustrated embodiment single key stroke entry 34 is a box to be clicked on once, however it will be appreciated that other forms of single key stroke entry 34 will also function. The single key stroke bid entry 34 permits Internet bidder 24 to keep pace with the fast pace of live auction 10 and eliminates entry errors.
Referring to FIGURE l, a final step involves receiving multiple bids from Internet bidders 24 via Internet 20.
Computer 18 of representative 16 is programmed to identify which one of the multiple bids is to be communicated by representative 16 to auctioneer 12 during live auction 10.
This is done by ranking the multiple bids based upon the order in which each of the multiple bids was received by computer 18.
This eliminates having representative 16 trying to determine the earliest Internet bidder 24 which could result in an error.
Computer 18 is able to accurately determine which Internet bidder 24 is first based on which bid is received first by computer 18 and then communicate the bid to representative 16.
Representative 16 is then in a position to communicate the bid to auctioneer 12. Live auction 10 proceeds in this manner until a final successful bid has been accepted and live auction 10 is closed.
The method as described above is an improvement over bidding by telephone from a remote locale. Auction houses such as Christies accommodate bidders who can not be present by providing a service whereby a bidder can submit bid through a representative over a telephone line. The disadvantage is that only one bidder can be serviced over the telephone at a time.
An additional representative must be made available for each additional bidder who wishes to bid by telephone. With the method described above an unlimited number of Internet bidders 24 can participate at the same time with only one representative 16 in attendance at live auction 10.
In this patent document, the word "comprising" is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article "a" does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be one and only one of the elements.
It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the illustrated embodiment without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter defined in the Claims.
A further step involves accepting a bid from one of the Internet bidders 24 through a single key stroke bid entry 34 in which one Internet bidder 24 turns bid increment 30 into a bid with a single key stroke entry 34. In the illustrated embodiment single key stroke entry 34 is a box to be clicked on once, however it will be appreciated that other forms of single key stroke entry 34 will also function. The single key stroke bid entry 34 permits Internet bidder 24 to keep pace with the fast pace of live auction 10 and eliminates entry errors.
Referring to FIGURE l, a final step involves receiving multiple bids from Internet bidders 24 via Internet 20.
Computer 18 of representative 16 is programmed to identify which one of the multiple bids is to be communicated by representative 16 to auctioneer 12 during live auction 10.
This is done by ranking the multiple bids based upon the order in which each of the multiple bids was received by computer 18.
This eliminates having representative 16 trying to determine the earliest Internet bidder 24 which could result in an error.
Computer 18 is able to accurately determine which Internet bidder 24 is first based on which bid is received first by computer 18 and then communicate the bid to representative 16.
Representative 16 is then in a position to communicate the bid to auctioneer 12. Live auction 10 proceeds in this manner until a final successful bid has been accepted and live auction 10 is closed.
The method as described above is an improvement over bidding by telephone from a remote locale. Auction houses such as Christies accommodate bidders who can not be present by providing a service whereby a bidder can submit bid through a representative over a telephone line. The disadvantage is that only one bidder can be serviced over the telephone at a time.
An additional representative must be made available for each additional bidder who wishes to bid by telephone. With the method described above an unlimited number of Internet bidders 24 can participate at the same time with only one representative 16 in attendance at live auction 10.
In this patent document, the word "comprising" is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article "a" does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be one and only one of the elements.
It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the illustrated embodiment without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter defined in the Claims.
Claims (5)
1. A method of bidding at live auctions via the internet, comprising the steps of:
positioning at a live auction a representative having a computer connected to the internet;
connecting interested internet bidders via the internet with the computer of the representative, each internet bidder having a unique bidder identifier;
communicating to the internet bidders via the internet a current bid and, where a current bid holder is one of the internet bidders, the unique bidder identifier of the current bid holder;
receiving multiple bids from internet bidders via the internet, the computer of the representative being programmed to identify which one of the multiple bids is to be communicated by the representative to an auctioneer during the live auction.
positioning at a live auction a representative having a computer connected to the internet;
connecting interested internet bidders via the internet with the computer of the representative, each internet bidder having a unique bidder identifier;
communicating to the internet bidders via the internet a current bid and, where a current bid holder is one of the internet bidders, the unique bidder identifier of the current bid holder;
receiving multiple bids from internet bidders via the internet, the computer of the representative being programmed to identify which one of the multiple bids is to be communicated by the representative to an auctioneer during the live auction.
2. The method as defined in Claim 1, the computer of the representative ranking the multiple bids based upon the order in which each of the multiple bids was received.
3. The method as defined in Claim 1, including the further step of communicating to the internet bidders a bid increment.
4. The method as defined in Claim 3, having a single key stroke bid entry.
5. A method of bidding at live auctions via the internet, comprising the steps of:
positioning at a live auction a representative having a computer connected to the internet;
connecting interested internet bidders via the internet with the computer of the representative, each internet bidder having a unique bidder identifier;
communicating to the internet bidders via the internet a current bid, a bid increment and, where a current bid holder is one of the internet bidders, the unique bidder identifier of the current bid holder;
accepting a bid from one of the internet bidders through a single key stroke bid entry in which the one internet bidder turns the bid increment into a bid with a single key stroke entry;
receiving multiple bids from internet bidders via the internet, the computer of the representative being programmed to identify which one of the multiple bids is to be communicated by the representative to an auctioneer during the live auction by ranking the multiple bids based upon the order in which each of the multiple bids was received.
positioning at a live auction a representative having a computer connected to the internet;
connecting interested internet bidders via the internet with the computer of the representative, each internet bidder having a unique bidder identifier;
communicating to the internet bidders via the internet a current bid, a bid increment and, where a current bid holder is one of the internet bidders, the unique bidder identifier of the current bid holder;
accepting a bid from one of the internet bidders through a single key stroke bid entry in which the one internet bidder turns the bid increment into a bid with a single key stroke entry;
receiving multiple bids from internet bidders via the internet, the computer of the representative being programmed to identify which one of the multiple bids is to be communicated by the representative to an auctioneer during the live auction by ranking the multiple bids based upon the order in which each of the multiple bids was received.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2326346 CA2326346A1 (en) | 2000-11-20 | 2000-11-20 | Method of bidding at live auction via the internet |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2326346 CA2326346A1 (en) | 2000-11-20 | 2000-11-20 | Method of bidding at live auction via the internet |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2326346A1 true CA2326346A1 (en) | 2002-05-20 |
Family
ID=4167705
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2326346 Abandoned CA2326346A1 (en) | 2000-11-20 | 2000-11-20 | Method of bidding at live auction via the internet |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2326346A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US7624065B2 (en) | 2004-07-02 | 2009-11-24 | Manheim Investments, Inc. | Multi-auction user interface |
| US7835982B2 (en) | 2004-07-02 | 2010-11-16 | Manheim Investments, Inc. | Computer-assisted method and apparatus for absentee sellers to participate in auctions and other sales |
-
2000
- 2000-11-20 CA CA 2326346 patent/CA2326346A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US7624065B2 (en) | 2004-07-02 | 2009-11-24 | Manheim Investments, Inc. | Multi-auction user interface |
| US7835982B2 (en) | 2004-07-02 | 2010-11-16 | Manheim Investments, Inc. | Computer-assisted method and apparatus for absentee sellers to participate in auctions and other sales |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Dead |