FR2806816A1 - COMPUTER SYSTEM FOR MANAGING REAL-TIME AUCTION SALES - Google Patents

Abstract

This system comprises a server (2) which comprises a database (4) in which is stored information relating to at least one object (48) put up for sale, an auction engine (6) adapted to manage in real time the database (4) and the conduct of auctions from auction orders transmitted by users, as well as means (8) for developing a man-machine interface (34) comprising means transmitting to the auction engine (6) a bidding order on the object (48) and adapted for displaying information extracted from the database (4). The elaboration means (8) comprise means for selecting information and converting the selected information into digital form and into symbolic form, for display on the man-machine interface (34) of part of the information. information selected and converted into digital form and part of it into symbolic form

Description

The present invention relates to a sales management system for

  auctions, as well as corresponding processes.

  More particularly, the invention relates to such a system, of the type comprising a server which comprises a database in which information relating to at least one object put up for sale is stored, an auction engine adapted to manage the database of data and the course of auctions based on auction orders transmitted to it by users, as well as means for developing a man-machine interface which comprises means of transmission to the auction engine a bid order on the object and which is suitable for

  the display of information extracted from the database.

  In the state of the art, such auction management systems already exist. A buyer can thus participate in an auction by connecting to the server of the system. The latter presents the buyer with a table of digital data directly extracted from the database, to present the state of an auction and allow him to transmit or not a bid order to the auction engine. Every

  reception of a bid order, the engine updates the database.

  The human-machine interface of such a system is complex and includes a large amount of digital information presented to the buyer. This therefore results, for the buyer, in difficulties of use due to the fact that before each decision is made, the buyer must analyze the

  numerous numerical data which are presented to him.

  In addition, this interface does not lend itself to outsourcing on a site

  remote client, by the space it represents on the screen.

  The invention aims to remedy the drawbacks of conventional auction management systems by simplifying the man-machine interface to make it more synthetic in order to allow a buyer to quickly decide to launch a bid order and to easily follow the 'evolution

of an auction.

  The invention therefore relates to an auction management system of the aforementioned type, characterized in that the processing means include means for selecting information and converting the selected information into digital form and into symbolic form. , for the display on the man-machine interface of a first part of the information selected and converted into digital form and of a second part of this in symbolic form.

  This auction management system which uses a man-

  machine, providing the buyer with useful information selected and ergonomically presented, allows a buyer to easily follow the status or the progress of an auction. In

  in addition, decision-making is facilitated.

  In addition, this interface, combining a synthetic presentation of information with means of transmission of auction orders, lends itself to outsourcing to a remote client site and thus facilitates the implementation

  auction work on the Internet.

  The auction management system according to the invention can also include one or more of the following characteristics: - the selected and converted information is contained in a file, adapted to be displayed by insertion in a page of

  presentation, and of small dimensions compared to the dimensions thereof

  this; - the file is an image; - the file is a video; - the first part of the selected and converted information contains the auction price of the object and the second part of this comprises the state of the auction and the time remaining to bid on the object; - the means for developing a man-machine interface include means for generating on the man-machine interface means for activating the transmission means - the auction engine comprises means for controlling the means of development of a man-machine interface; and the transmission means include a universal URL address corresponding to the address of a suitable auction engine file.

  for the execution of a bid order on the object.

  the means for developing a man-machine interface are suitable for developing a man-machine interface chosen from a set of possible man-machine interfaces as a function of a parameter stored in the database. The invention also relates to a process for managing auctions, by means of a system as defined above, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: the development of the human-machine interface as a function an order to put an item up for auction; - display of the man-machine interface by insertion into at least one presentation page; and updating the man-machine interface in the page of

  presentation according to update orders or auction orders.

  The invention also relates to a method for developing a man-machine interface for the auction of an object, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: - recording of data relating to the object for storing them in a database of an auction server, from a registration page of the auction server downloadable on a remote client system; - development of a man-machine interface associated with a universal URL address of a file for executing auction orders and updating the man-machine interface; - insertion of the universal URL address in a presentation page of a remote client system; and

  - update by the auction server of the human interface -

  machine, each time the presentation page is loaded.

  The invention will be better understood using the description which follows.

  follow, given only as an example and made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: - Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating the general structure of an auction management system according to the invention - Figure 2 represents a man-machine interface developed by the system of FIG. 1, as it appears during the auction; - Figure 3 shows the human-machine interface of Figure 2 after an auction order; and - Figure 4 shows a man-machine interface developed by the system of Figure 1, as it appears at the end of the auction. An auction management system according to the invention, represented in FIG. 1, comprises a server 2 which includes a database 4, an auction engine 6 and means 8 for developing a human interface. machine. It is connected to the Internet 10 by means of, for example, a modem 12. It is thus accessible by a remote client system 14, which is also connected to the Internet 10 by means of, for example, a

modem 16.

  The database 4 includes a table 18 in which each line 20 corresponds to an object put up for sale and each cell of the line

  corresponds to a field containing information relating to this object.

  Thus, a first field 22 includes the identification of the object and each subsequent field 24 relates to information relating to the price of the auction, in particular the starting price, the current price, the reserve price, I ' increment, as well as additional information on the start date of the auction, the end date of the auction, the currency unit and the number

auction.

  The auction engine 6 is, in known manner, adapted to manage real-time auctions of objects from the list of those stored in the database. Also, its operation will not be described in

detail later.

  It will be noted that it is connected to the database 4 by means of a bidirectional signal transfer line 26, allowing it to manage, in real time, the content of the database as a function of auction orders. receipts from buying customers, orders for the sale of objects, or updating orders received from selling customers. These orders are received by a connection line 28 to the network 10 and directed by the server 2 to the auction engine in a conventional manner. They include in particular the universal address URL of the issuer of the order and, in the case of auction orders or update orders relating to an object already created in the

  database 4, identification data for this object.

  At the output, the auction engine transmits an identification signal to the processing means 8. This identification signal contains the universal address URL of the sender, as well as the identification of a database object

4.

  The processing means 8 receive as input the identification signal from the auction engine 6. They also have means for extracting information from the database 4 comprising a bidirectional signal transfer line 30 from the database to the means of preparation. At output, they supply the transmitter, identified by the identification signal, with a man-machine interface 34 comprising a selected part and converted information relating to the identified object stored in the database 4. Their operation will be

detailed later.

  The client system 14 includes means 36 for generating presentation pages, of the HTML page type, as well as a browser 38. This browser can download a first registration page 40 from the auction server 2. The registration page 40 includes an active button 44 provided with means for transmitting sale orders to a line of

  connection 32 of client system 14 to network 10.

  The browser 38 can also download a second presentation page 46 of the client system 14 generated by the means 36 for generating presentation pages. This second page 46 includes different elements including an object for sale 48 and the man-machine interface 34 developed by the processing means 8 relating to the object 48 and the creation of which has been ordered by the client system 14. The arrangement relative of the different elements on this page 46 is defined by the means of

  generation 36 of the client system 14.

  The human-machine interface 34, as it appears during the auction, is represented in FIG. 2. It presents part of the selected and converted information relating to the object 48 in digital form and the other part. selected and converted information

  relating to object 48 in symbolic form.

  The information selected and converted includes: - the state of auction 50, represented in symbolic form. This information is presented in the form of a silhouette, one arm of which is raised vertically, thus inciting to bid and occupies a first part of the man-machine interface; - the starting price 52, represented in digital form. To the right of the starting price is represented the monetary unit 54 in symbolic form. These two pieces of information are presented at the bottom left of a second part 56 of the man-machine interface; - the current price 58, represented in numerical form, and also associated with the monetary unit, represented in symbolic form. This information is presented at the top right of part 56; - the bid price 60, represented in numerical form, and also associated with the monetary unit, represented in symbolic form. This information is presented at the top left of the part 56 close to the silhouette 50 encouraging to bid; and - the remaining time 62, represented in symbolic form. This is represented in the form of a hammer whose handle forms an angle with a horizontal axis forming a base, this angle being proportional to time

remaining to bid.

  The man-machine interface also comprises a lower part 64 extending over its entire width, comprising information of

  advertising, not directly related to the object 48.

  The man-machine interface 34 of FIG. 2 is shown in FIG. 3, after an auction operation. In this new state, information 50, 52, 54 and 64 remains unchanged. On the other hand, the current price 58 of this figure 3 is equal to the bid price 60 of figure 2 and is presented at the top right of the part 56. A new bid price is proposed at the top left of the part 56 to replace the old one and is calculated by adding the increment to the current price 58. After this operation, the remaining time having decreased, the angle formed by the hammer handle 62 and the horizontal axis forming the base is less than that of FIG. 2. The man-machine interface 34 is represented in FIG. 4, as it appears when the auction is over. In this state, the starting price 52 and the information of an advertising nature 64 remain unchanged. The current price 56 remains unchanged from the last transaction. The remaining time being zero, the hammer handle is horizontal and placed on the base. The auction price is replaced by the literal expression "sold" indicating the end of the auction. The state of the auction 50 is represented in the form of a silhouette whose arm is lowered, inciting

not to bid.

  The operation of the system whose structure has been presented previously will now be described. Two operating modes can be distinguished, depending on whether the user is a seller on the one hand or

a buyer on the other hand.

  According to the first mode of operation, the user of the client system acting as seller of an object, downloads on his

  browser 38 the registration page 40 of the auction server 2 via the Internet.

  By a process known from the state of the art, not detailed here, the seller registers by identifying himself, then fills on the registration page 40 a questionnaire intended to fill in all the fields 24 of table 18 as regards relates to an object 48 which it is selling. When all the information has been provided, the user activates the key 44, thereby transmitting a sale order via the Internet to the auction engine 6.

  containing all this information, as well as its universal URL address.

  This information is stored by the auction engine in the database 4, the latter filling in a new line 20 identifying the object 48 in the field 22. After this update of the database 4, the engine d 'auction 6 transmits to the processing means 8 the identification signal comprising the identification of the object 48 as well as the address

Seller URL.

  Upon receipt of this signal, the processing means 8 extract from the database 4 the information relating to the object 48 identified, previously updated. Means for selecting the means of preparation select a part of the information extracted. The selected information is intended to be presented to the purchasing user in the form of the man-machine interface 34 and is necessary and sufficient for a decision to bid. As described above in Figure 2, these are the starting price, the current price, the bid price,

  currency unit, the state of the auction and the time left to bid.

  This information is then gathered and converted by the production means, from their original alphanumeric format into a format suitable for display, that is to say for example an image format from among those conventionally known. As described above, some of this information is presented to the user in digital form, others

in symbolic form.

  Other information extracted from the database, not selected, for example, the start and end dates of the auction and the number of auctions. The mode of presentation to the buyer of these

  information is not described, not being part of the scope of the invention.

  The processing means 8 also generate two files executable by the auction engine, one adapted for the execution of an update of the man-machine interface 34 relating to the object 48, the other

  for the execution of a bid order on object 48.

  At output, they transmit to the client system 14, identified by its URL address, the man-machine interface 34 associated with the respective universal URL addresses of the two executable files. This is received by the generation means 36 of presentation pages which

  then generate the presentation page 46.

  According to the second mode of operation, the user of the client system 14 acting as the buyer of an object 48 downloads from his browser 38 the presentation page 46 prepared by the means of

generation 36.

  Simultaneously with the download, the generation means 36 send an update order to the auction engine 6 comprising the universal address URL of the client server 14 as well as the universal address URL of the executable file which is suitable for execution of the updating of the man-machine interface 34. The auction engine transmits the identification signal to the processing means 8

  a human-machine interface. These then return the human-

  machine 34 updated according to the process described above, at

  client system 14 which transmits it to the generation means 36.

  Once the download is complete, the presentation page 46, presented to the buyer, includes a representation of the object 48 to be sold as well as the updated human-machine interface 34 comprising the

  necessary and sufficient information to make the decision to bid.

  When the buyer wishes to bid for the amount indicated on the man-machine interface 34, he transmits a bidding order to the auction engine over the Internet, by clicking on the man-machine interface 34, triggering the opening of a dialog window allowing confirmation or cancellation of the auction order. The auction order includes information on the universal URL address of the client server 14 and the universal URL address of the executable file suitable for executing the auction order. Upon receipt of this order and by executing the file, the auction engine 6 interacts with the database 4 in order to update line 20 of table 18 relating to object 48, in particular the current price including the new value is equal to the sum of the old value and the bid price. Then, as before, the auction engine 6 transmits the identification signal to the processing means 8 which put

man-machine interface 34.

  At the end of the auction, when the time remaining for bidding has elapsed, the object 48 put up for sale is awarded to the last buyer having transmitted to the auction engine 6 an auction order, at the current price stored in the

database 4.

  It appears that an auction management system according to the invention facilitates decision-making and monitoring of an O10 auction thanks to the man-machine interface 34 described previously developed by

the server 2 according to the invention.

  A second advantage of the invention is to allow a seller to have on an HTML presentation page 46, an object 48 to be auctioned associated with a compact and easy man-machine interface 34

to integrate on this page.

  Another advantage of the invention is also not to require on the part of the seller a particular development for the auctioning of an object, since the man-machine interface 34 allowing

  to bid can be developed and supplied by the remote server system 2.

  Note that the invention is not limited to the embodiment described. Thus, as a variant, one of the fields 24 of table 18 of the database 4 includes a parameter entered by a seller on the page

  registration 40, this parameter specifying the choice of a man-

  machine among a set of possible interfaces, differing in their

  dimensions and / or their presentation.

  Thus, the processing means 8 develop the human-

  machine chosen by the seller, according to this parameter which is supplied to them by the auction engine at each order of sale,

day or auction.

Claims (11)

  1. Auction management system, comprising a server (2) which comprises a database (4) in which information relating to at least one object (48) put up for sale, an auction engine ( 6) adapted to manage in real time the database (4) and the conduct of auction sales from auction orders transmitted to it by users, as well as means for developing (8) a man-machine interface (34) which comprises means for transmitting to the auction engine (6) a bid order on the object (48) and which is suitable for displaying information extracted from the database (4), characterized in that the processing means (8) comprise means for selecting information and converting the selected information into a digital form and into a symbolic form, for display on the interface man-machine (34) of a first part of the selected information s and converted to   digital and a second part of these in symbolic form.   2. Auction management system according to claim 1, characterized in that the selected and converted information is contained in a file, adapted to be displayed by insertion in a presentation page (46), and of small dimensions by in relation to the dimensions thereof.   3. Auction management system according to   claim 2, characterized in that the file is an image.   4. Auction management system according to   claim 2, characterized in that the file is a video.   5. Auction management system according to one of the   Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the first part of the   selected and converted information includes the item's auction price and the second part of it includes the auction status and the   remaining time to bid on the item.   6. Auction management system according to one of the   Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the production means (8)   of a man-machine interface (34) comprise means for generating on the man-machine interface means for activating the transmission means. 7. Auction management system according to one of the   Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the auction engine (6)   includes means for piloting the means for developing (8) a man-machine interface (34).   8. Auction management system according to one of the   Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the transmission means   include a universal URL address corresponding to the address of a file of the auction engine (6) suitable for the execution of an order of auction on the object.   9. Auction management system according to one of the   Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the production means (8)   of a man-machine interface (34) are suitable for the development of a   man-machine interface chosen from a set of man-machine interfaces   possible machine according to a parameter stored in the database data (4).   10. Process for managing auctions, by means of a   system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that   that it comprises the following stages: - the development of the man-machine interface (34) according to an order for the sale of an object at auction; - display of the man-machine interface (34) by insertion into at least one presentation page (46); and - updating the man-machine interface (34) in the presentation page (46) according to update orders or auction orders. 11. Method for developing a man-machine interface (34) for the auction of an object (48), characterized in that it comprises the following steps: - recording of data relating to the object ( 48) for their storage in a database (4) of an auction server (2), from a registration page (40) of the auction server (2) downloadable on a remote client system ; - development of a man-machine interface (34) associated with a universal address URL of a file for executing auction orders and updating the man-machine interface; - insertion of the universal URL address in a presentation page (46) of a remote client system (14); and   - update by the auction server (2) of the human interface -   machine (34), each time the presentation page (46) is loaded.