JP2004295158A - Auction device and method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To browse auctions on a real time basis using a communication network such as the Internet. <P>SOLUTION: A web server 103 of an auction center 10 transmits auction information to a client device 204 of a participant's facility 20 via the Internet 30. When receiving bids, a bidding price and a telephone number part are reloaded in the client device 204 with a short interval of time of, for example 5-10 seconds. A participant calls the auction center 10 with a telephone 206, and the caller's number and the bidding price are notified to a CTI server 104. The CTI server 104 revises documents on the web server if the bidding price is the highest. When the reception time is over, the CTI server automatically calls the telephone number of a successful bidder. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an auction technology using a telephone, and more particularly, to displaying a progress of an auction to a web page viewer in real time.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The present applicant has proposed an auction utilizing television broadcasting (Japanese Patent Application No. 11-361447). In this proposal, bids are accepted by telephone, processed in real time, the status of the auction (current maximum bid amount, etc.) is broadcasted in real time, and immediately after the auction ends, a call is automatically made to the highest bidder to make a successful bid. Is to be notified.
[0003]
By the way, the above-mentioned auction is very useful because of its immediacy, but basically only the viewers of the television broadcast can participate. Also, if the auction program is not a general terrestrial TV broadcast but a satellite broadcast or a cable TV broadcast that only a limited number of subscribers watch, many people who want to participate in the auction will not be able to participate. Preferably, many participants can participate in the auction via various channels (media).
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to enable an auction to be viewed substantially in real time via a communication network such as the Internet.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, a configuration as described in the claims is adopted. First, the description of the claims will be supplementarily described.
[0006]
According to the present invention, in order to achieve the above-described object, the auction apparatus includes a description regarding an article to be auctioned, a current provisional contract price, and at least a part of a telephone number of a bidder of the current provisional contract price. Means for storing the document; means for transmitting the document to a viewing client device via a communication network; means for receiving a caller ID and a bid price sent via a telephone line; Means for judging whether or not to surpass the provisional successful bid price; and if the bid price exceeds the current provisional successful bid, enter the telephone number of the bidder of the provisional successful bid price and the provisional successful bid price included in the document. Means for updating the description about the part.
[0007]
The bid may be such that the bidder gradually raises the price or a so-called reverse auction in which the seller makes a successful bid. In this case, the seller gradually lowers the selling price. A minimum price or a maximum price may be set. The successful bidder is usually one. Of course, a plurality of higher rank persons may be made a successful bid.
[0008]
In this configuration, the caller's telephone number and the bid price obtained in response to the call from the participant are processed, and if the bid price is higher than the previous maximum bid price, this is reflected in the read document. . Therefore, it is possible to browse the auction status via the communication network and participate in the auction substantially in real time.
[0009]
The bid may be such that the price automatically decreases gradually, and the first bidder makes a successful bid. Further, the selling price may be automatically raised, and the seller who bid first may make a successful bid. Also in this case, the number of successful bidders may be one or more. In the case of two or more people, the bids are made in the order in which they bid earlier.
[0010]
Specifically, a system that constitutes an auction apparatus is constructed using a web server such as APACHE (trademark), a CTI (computer telephony integration) server, an automatic voice response device, and the like.
[0011]
Documents that include information about the auctioned item, a description of the current provisional bid price and at least a portion of the bidder's telephone number are, for example, HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) or XML (Extensible Markup). Language) or the like in SGML (Standard Generalized Markup Language). The highest bid price is transmitted to the client device (web browser) by a so-called push technique. The data may be sent directly from the server to the client device, or may be reloaded repeatedly at a short time interval, for example, 5 to 10 seconds, by a script or tag such as JavaScript (trademark) on the client device side. Similar reloading may be performed using a Java applet (trademark). In addition, real-time push may be realized by using a dedicated browsing agent instead of Internet Explorer (trademark) or Netscape Navigator (trademark) which are widely used.
[0012]
Note that information of other attributes of the participant may be used instead of the telephone number. If user registration is requested in advance to the auction participant, attributes of the user, for example, user ID, nickname, address, secret information, etc. can be used instead of the telephone number.
[0013]
Further, means for calling the successful bidder immediately after the auction closes may be provided.
[0014]
The auction by browsing the communication network may be performed in conjunction with the television broadcast auction proposed by the present inventors.
[0015]
Further, the present invention can be realized as a method, and at least a part thereof can be realized as computer software. Further, a software package used to execute such computer software is of course included in the technical scope of the present invention. Further, it is needless to say that the present invention is applicable not only to a case where the software is executed by one computer but also to a case where the software is executed by a computer system including a plurality of computers.
[0016]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described.
[0017]
FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention as a whole. In this figure, an auction center 10 is a facility of an organization that operates an auction or a business entrusted by the organization, and includes a content production server 101, It has a program transmission server 102, a web server 103, a CTI server 104, an automatic voice response device 105, a communication control unit 106, a router 107, and the like. These information processing resources are appropriately connected to a LAN (local area network) 108. The program transmission server 102 transmits a broadcast signal to the broadcast equipment 109. The broadcast equipment 109 transmits a broadcast signal to the communication satellite 50, for example, and the broadcast signal is relayed to a receiver's receiving equipment (antenna) 203.
[0018]
The router 107 is connected to the Internet 30 via a dedicated line. Note that an external viewer (client device 204) can access a predetermined file of the web server 103 via the Internet 30. Although not shown in the figure, it is needless to say that it is divided into a plurality of network segments, a firewall is provided, and a DMZ (demilitarized area) is provided from the viewpoint of security.
[0019]
The communication control unit 106 is connected to the subscriber exchange network 40 and enables a telephone call with a subscriber telephone (fixed telephone) or a mobile telephone.
[0020]
The participant equipment 20 is, for example, equipment that can be used by the auction participant, such as an auction participant's home, office equipment, and accommodation equipment. The participant equipment 20 is provided with a television set 201, a set-top box 202, and a receiving equipment (antenna) 203 so that a television broadcast program can be viewed. In this example, a satellite broadcast program is taken as an example, but it may be a terrestrial broadcast program or a cable television broadcast. The broadcast signal may be digital or analog.
[0021]
The participant equipment 20 is provided with a client device 204 and a modem 205. The modem 205 is connected to the Internet 30 via the Internet service provider 301. Of course, it may be connected to the Internet 30 via a dedicated line (via a termination device) or a cable modem. The client device 204 is a personal computer, a workstation, a mobile terminal, an intelligent telephone, or an intelligent mobile telephone, that is, anything that can provide an environment in which a browsing agent can be executed. In the case of a personal computer, for example, a web browser such as Internet Explorer (trademark) or Netscape Navigate (trademark) can be used. When an intelligent mobile phone is used as the client device 204, the client device 204 is connected to the Internet 30 via a mobile communication network and a gateway.
[0022]
The telephone 206 may be an ordinary fixed telephone or a mobile telephone (mobile communication mobile station). In the case of an intelligent telephone or an intelligent mobile phone, it can be used also as the client device 204.
[0023]
FIG. 2 schematically shows the program transmission server 102. In this figure, the program transmission server 102 includes a program information storage unit 151, a program information output unit 152, a sequence control unit 153, a clock 154, and the like. Have been. Of course, the program transmission server 102 includes hardware resources such as a CPU, a main memory, an auxiliary memory, various input / output devices, and a communication control device. FIG. 2 shows only a functional configuration. It is.
[0024]
The auction program is broadcast on a schedule as shown in FIG. 4 and is provided by the web server 103. That is, the broadcast program of the auction is configured in a 60-minute frame, and first, there are “channel and program introduction” and “bid explanation”, and thereafter, the auction frame is allocated to five products. Each auction frame is 5 minutes, and this auction frame consists of "Bridge" (broadcast of the bridge), "Product name", "Auction time", "Bridge", and "Bidder announcement". I have. “Auction time” is the time during which an auction is actually performed and a bid is accepted, and is, for example, 4 minutes and 30 seconds.
[0025]
Return to FIG. The sequence control unit 153 determines the broadcast information transmission timing according to the program schedule, and refers to the clock 154. Then, based on a control signal from the sequence control unit 153, the program information output unit 152 extracts program information from the program information storage unit 151 and sequentially outputs the program information according to the program schedule.
[0026]
FIGS. 5, 6, and 7 show examples of screen display of the client device 204, which will be described later. A similar broadcast is performed. For details of this screen, refer to FIGS. 5, 6, and 7 described later.
[0027]
FIG. 3 schematically shows the configuration of the web server 103. The web server 103 may include a web server program and a CGI (common gateway interface), may separately include an application server program or the application server itself, or may include an active server page (ASP) or the like. Is also good. In short, the web server 103 has a function of storing a document described in HTML, XML, or the like, transmitting the document to the client by HTTP, further including a predetermined application program, dynamically displaying the document, The predetermined processing can be performed based on the argument from. In addition, data is exchanged with the CTI server 104 and the content production server 101 to perform desired processing.
[0028]
3, the web server 103 includes a web server program 161, an application program 162, a web document 163, a sequence control unit 164, a clock 165, a download program 166, an auction information file 167, and the like. The web server 103 also includes hardware resources such as a CPU, a main memory, an auxiliary memory, various input / output devices, and a communication control device. FIG. 3 shows only a functional configuration. Note that there is.
[0029]
3, the web server program 161 transmits a web page of the web document 163 to the client device 204 in response to a request from the client device 204 sent via the Internet 30 or in a push manner. For example, the product name display page 163 </ b> A is sent to the client device 204 at the timing of “product name” display shown in FIG. 4. At the timing of the “auction time” in FIG. 4, the item description / auction acceptance page 163B is sent to the client device 204. At the timing of “successful bidder announcement” in FIG. 4, the successful bidder announcement page 163C is sent to the client device 204. Note that these pages 163A to 163C appear to the client device 204 as the same URL (uniform resource locator) and are displayed in a single window.
[0030]
The sequence control unit 164 controls the application program 162 so that the web document 163 (pages 163A to 163C) can be transmitted to the client device 204 according to the auction schedule shown in FIG. The clock 165 indicates the time axis at this time.
[0031]
Further, the application program 162 receives the current highest bid price data from the CTI server 104. The highest bid price data describes the bid price and its telephone number information when the bid price specified by the new bidder is larger than the highest price ever. When the highest bid price data is received from the CTI server 104, the application program 162 describes the bid price and telephone number of the product description / auction acceptance page 163B of the auction time (described separately as a document in a frame or an inline frame, and May be updated).
[0032]
Further, the application program 162 notifies the CTI server 104 of the auction status (the deadline and the auction time). The CTI server 104 controls the automatic voice response apparatus 105 based on this, and responds to the caller (auction participant).
[0033]
Next, the operation of the embodiment will be described.
[0034]
First, an example of a display screen on the client device 204 will be described for easy understanding. When the user accesses the main page of the auction of the web server 103 of the auction center 10 using the URL using the client device (web browser) 204, a screen as shown in FIG. 5 is displayed. This screen displays the "product name" in FIG. In this example, "German kiln antique picture change tea set" is the next product to be auctioned, the lowest price is "440000 yen", and the auction starts 45 seconds later.
[0035]
When 45 seconds have elapsed from the time in FIG. 5, that is, when the “auction time” in FIG. 4 starts, the screen in FIG. 6 is displayed. Here, an image of the product photo, description of the product (comment. Text), remaining time, current bid price, telephone number of the bidder (partly, to protect the privacy of the participant, intentionally mask with x Configuration), the lowest bid price is displayed.
[0036]
The remaining time is calculated using the clock function of the client device 204. A predetermined tag, a script of JavaScript (trademark), or the like may be used. Items that do not need to be updated in real time, such as images of product photos, product descriptions (comments), and minimum bid prices, are downloaded to the client device 204 in advance. The downloaded file can be extracted by the anchor tag of the document describing the screen of FIG.
[0037]
Since the bid price and the bidder's telephone number may change every moment, only this portion is reloaded at a time interval of 5 to 10 seconds. For example, reloading is performed using a refresh meta tag or using a JavaScript script. The cutout of the updated portion can be described using a tag of a frame or an inline frame.
[0038]
The image of the product photograph, the description of the product, and the like can be downloaded in units of one day or several days. For example, if a download button is provided on the main page of the auction and the download program 166 of FIG. 3 is linked to this button, the user can easily download the auction information file (image of product photograph, etc.). The downloaded file is stored in a desired directory on the client device 204 to be consistent with the web document path specification.
[0039]
As described above, since the data actually extracted by the client device 204 at the auction time is only the bid price that needs to be sequentially changed and the corresponding telephone number, the traffic is small and the user does not feel stress when browsing. In addition, the display of the auction status is delayed due to traffic congestion, and it is unlikely to cause a problem that the user cannot substantially participate in the auction.
[0040]
FIG. 7 shows a scene displayed when the auction time is over. Since the winning bid and a part of the telephone number are displayed, the winning bidder can immediately know the fact of the successful bid. After this, a telephone notifying of the successful bid arrives at the telephone 206 immediately.
[0041]
As described above, the screen of the client device 204 is shown in three scenes before the auction time, during the auction time, and after the auction time.
[0042]
Next, the operation of the program transmission server 102 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0043]
In FIG. 8, when the frame of the auction is started (the sequence control unit 153 notifies and controls), the product name display screen is displayed for, for example, 10 seconds (step S11). Next, when 10 seconds have elapsed, an auction screen is displayed (step S12). It is determined whether or not the highest bid price has been updated (step S13), and if not, step S13 is repeated. If updated, the superimpose data (bid price and telephone number) is updated (step S14). Next, it is determined whether or not the auction time has elapsed (step S15). If the time has not elapsed, the process returns to step S13 to repeat the processing. If the time is up, the successful bidder screen is displayed (step S16), and the process ends. After that, the same processing is performed when the frame of the next product auction is started.
[0044]
FIG. 9 shows the operation of the CTI server 104 when receiving a call. The applicant for the auction sees the status of the auction on the television set 201 or the client device 204 and calls the auction center 10 using the telephone 206 to make a bid. The operation in FIG. 9 is an operation in response to this.
[0045]
In FIG. 9, when an auction participant receives a call, the CTI server 104 establishes a connection and stores the caller ID data (step S21). If the caller ID notification cannot be used, it notifies that it cannot participate in the auction. Of course, the specification may be such that the caller can input a telephone number by an MFT signal (push signal). Next, the state of the auction (for example, acquired from the web server 103; may be acquired from the program transmission server 102 or the like) is determined (step S22), and if the auction is closed (other than auction time), the auction is closed. A response to the effect, for example, a response such as "we do not accept any bids now" is sent (step S27), and the process ends. During the auction time, a guide for accepting the auction, for example, "We will accept measures for XX products. Please press # after pressing the bid amount. Please." ... "The bid price is XX yen Yes, please press 1 if you want, press 2 if you want to cancel. "... (if 1 is pressed)" Bid is completed. "(If 2 is pressed, return to the beginning) (Step S23). Thereafter, the bid price is stored (step S24). If the bid price is higher than the maximum price so far, the data of the current maximum bid price and the telephone number of the bidder are updated (step S26). , And the process ends. If it does not exceed the maximum amount, the process ends.
[0046]
FIG. 10 shows the operation of the CTI server 104 when the auction time has ended. First, the telephone number of the successful bidder is retrieved (step S31), and a call is made to the successful bidder (step S32). When there is a response and the line is established, a notice of a successful bid, for example, "Congratulations. You have been awarded the XX product for XX yen. Please tell us your zip code, address, and name. Please." Generate sound. Note that the automatic voice response apparatus 105 performs processing as necessary.
[0047]
FIG. 11 shows the operation of the web server 103. In this figure, when an auction is started, first, a product name display page is prepared (step S41). This page is loaded on the client device 204 (reloading the client device 204 or pushing the server 103). Next, an auction page is prepared at the start of the auction time (step S42). This auction page is also loaded on the client device 204. Next, it is determined whether or not the bid data (the highest bid price) has been updated (step S43). If there is no update, this determination processing is repeated. If there is an update, the description of the reloading bid price and the telephone number of the bidder in the web page is updated (S44). If they are placed in a frame differently from others, only the document part of that frame is updated. Next, it is determined whether or not the auction time has expired (step S45). If the time has not elapsed, the process returns to step S43 to repeat the processing. If the time is up, a successful bidder display page is prepared (step S46), and the process ends. This successful bidder display page is also loaded into the client device 204.
[0048]
FIG. 12 shows a browsing operation of the client device 204. In FIG. 12, when the auction starts, a product name page is requested to be transferred to the web server 103 and received (S51). A transfer request may be made by starting a timer. Further, a document may be pushed from the web server 103. Next, when the auction time starts, an auction page is requested to be transferred to the web server 103 and received (steps S52 and S53). Also in this case, a transfer request may be made by starting a timer, or a document may be pushed from the web server 103. Next, the description of the bid price to be updated and the telephone number of the bidder is reloaded, for example, at intervals of 5 seconds (S54). As described above, this reload can use various methods such as using a meta tag, using a script such as JavaScript, or the like. Next, it is determined whether or not the auction time has expired, and if not, the process returns to step S54 to repeat the processing (S55). When the time is up, a successful bidder display page is received from the web server 103 and displayed (step S56). Also in this case, a transfer request may be made by starting a timer, or a document may be pushed from the web server 103.
[0049]
This is the end of the description of the embodiment. The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be variously modified. For example, in the above description, the client device and the telephone are described as separate devices. However, in the case where the client device is a mobile phone or a mobile terminal having a function of browsing contents of a web server, the client device and the telephone are the same. Things. In this case, the telephone number may be marked up by the anchor tag and the call may be easily made to the auction center. The same applies to intelligent landline phones.
[0050]
Instead of making a bid by telephone, a bid may be made by the client device. That is, instead of inputting bid information using a telephone, bid information is sent to a processing program (CGI or the like) of a web server using a form function of a client device, for example, a web browser. You may make it reflect on a situation.
[0051]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the bid price is auctioned. However, in a so-called reverse auction in which a seller bids on a buyer, the bid price lowers.
[0052]
Further, an auction may be used in which the provisional successful bid price automatically decreases gradually, and the person who first bids at the provisional successful bid price at that time makes a successful bid. In this case, it is preferable to program the automatic response process so that the current winning bid and the bidder's bid match. For example, a bid may be made if the bid price of the bidder is the same as the current successful bid price but the difference is within a predetermined range. Further, the bidder may not enter the bid price. In this case, it is possible that the provisional successful bid price viewed by the bidder and the provisional successful bid price when accepted are inconsistent, so it is preferable to confirm the bid price to the bidder using the automatic response device. . The browsing target document that enables the sequential browsing of the provisional bid price is provided by, for example, the web server 103 in FIG. The same applies to a document that allows viewing of attribute information such as the successful bid price and telephone number of the successful bidder.
[0053]
Of course, a plurality of successful bidders may be allowed. For example, an allowable range of provisional successful bidders and provisional successful bid prices is viewed, and the weakest provisional successful bidder is sequentially replaced by a new provisional successful bidder. In the mode in which the bidder wins the bid, the bids are made in order from the earliest one.
[0054]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to browse the status of an auction substantially in real time using a communication network and participate in the auction.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention as a whole.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram functionally illustrating a program transmission server 102 according to the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram functionally illustrating a web server 103 according to the embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an auction schedule.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of an auction browsing screen (display of a product name) on the client device 204.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an auction browsing screen (auction time) in the client device 204.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of an auction browsing screen (display of successful bidder) on the client device 204.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the program transmission server 102 according to the above embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the CTI server 104 according to the embodiment when a call is received.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the CTI server 104 of the above embodiment at the end of an auction time.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the web server 103 according to the embodiment.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the client device 204 according to the embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Auction Center
20 Participant equipment
30 Internet
40 subscriber exchange network
50 communication satellites
101 Content Production Server
102 Program transmission server
103 Web server
104 CTI Server
105 Automatic voice response device
106 communication control unit
107 router
108 LAN
109 Broadcasting equipment
151 Program information storage unit
152 Program information output unit
153 Sequence control unit
154 clock
161 Web server program
162 Application program
163 Web document
163A Product name display page
163B reception page
163C successful bidder announcement page
164 sequence control unit
165 clock
166 Download Program
167 Auction information file
201 television set
202 Set Top Box
203 receiving equipment
204 client device
205 modem
206 Telephone
301 Internet Service Provider

Claims (10)

Means for storing a document containing a description of the item to be auctioned, the current provisional bid price, and at least a portion of the current provisional bid bidder's telephone number;
Means for transmitting the document to a viewing client device via a communication network;
Means for receiving a caller ID and a bid price sent over a telephone line;
Means for determining whether the bid price exceeds the current provisional bid price,
In the case where the bid price exceeds the current provisional successful bid, the document includes means for updating the description of the provisional successful bid price and the part of the bidder's telephone number of the provisional successful bid price included in the document. Auction equipment. 2. The document of claim 1, wherein the document includes instructions such that the browsing client device automatically reloads a statement regarding the current provisional bid price and at least a portion of the telephone number of the bidder of the current provisional bid price. Auction equipment. 2. The auction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least a description of the current provisional bid price and at least a part of a telephone number of a bidder of the current provisional bid price in the document is repeatedly pushed to a viewing client. 4. The auction apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for automatically calling a bidder using a telephone number of a bidder of a provisional successful bid price at the time of closing the auction. Means for storing a document including a description of the auction target product, the current provisional bid price, and at least a part of the attribute information of the bidder of the current provisional bid price,
Means for transmitting the document to a viewing client device via a communication network;
Means for receiving the bid price sent over the telephone line,
Means for determining whether the bid price exceeds the current provisional bid price,
In the case where the bid price exceeds the current provisional bid price, a means for updating a description of the provisional successful bid price and a part of the attribute information of the bidder of the provisional successful bid price included in the document is provided. And auction equipment. The auction apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the attribute information of the bidder is user identification information of the bidder. Means for storing television image data including an indication regarding the auction target product, the current provisional bid price and at least a part of the telephone number of the bidder of the current provisional bid price,
Means for broadcasting the television image data,
Means for storing a document including a description of the auction target product, the current provisional bid price and at least a part of the telephone number of the bidder of the current provisional bid price,
Means for transmitting the document to a viewing client device via a communication network;
Means for receiving a caller ID and a bid price sent over a telephone line;
Means for determining whether the bid price exceeds the current provisional bid price,
Means for updating the display and description of the provisional contract price and the portion of the bidder's telephone number of the provisional contract price if the bid price exceeds the current provisional contract price;
Means for automatically calling the bidder using the telephone number of the bidder of the provisional successful bid price at the time of the auction closing after the closing of the auction. Storing a document containing a description of the item to be auctioned, the current provisional bid price, and at least a portion of the telephone number of the bidder of the current provisional bid price;
Transmitting the document to a viewing client device via a communication network;
Receiving a caller ID and a bid price sent over a telephone line;
Determining whether the bid price exceeds the current provisional bid price;
Updating the description of the provisional bid price and the part of the bidder's telephone number included in the document, if the bid price exceeds the current provisional bid price. And the auction method. Storing a document containing a description of the auctioned item, the current provisional bid price, and at least a portion of the provisional bid price bidder's telephone number;
Transmitting the document to a viewing client device via a communication network;
Receiving a caller ID and a bid price sent over a telephone line;
Determining whether the bid price exceeds the current provisional bid price;
If the bid price exceeds the current provisional bid price, updating the description in the document with respect to the provisional bid price and the bidder's telephone number portion of the provisional bid price may comprise a computer or a plurality of steps. A recording medium on which a computer program for auction used to be executed by a computer system including a computer is recorded. Means for storing a document containing a description of the item to be auctioned and the current provisional bid price;
Means for gradually updating the provisional successful bid price,
Means for transmitting the document to a viewing client device via a communication network;
Means for receiving bid information, including a caller ID, sent over a telephone line;
Means for determining the winning bidder based on the initially received bidding information;
Means for updating the document to include a part of the telephone number of the successful bidder and a provisional successful bid price at the time of the successful bid.

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