Patents by Inventor Robert G. Stevens
Robert G. Stevens has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20080147533Abstract: A method and system for conducting electronic auctions is described. A dynamic lot closing extension feature avoids collisions in closing times of multiple lots by dynamically extending the closing time of a subsequent lot if a preceding lot's closing time is extended to be too close to the subsequent lot's then-currently scheduled closing time. Scheduled closing times can be extended with a flexible overtime feature, in which the properties of the event triggering the extension and the duration of the overtime period(s) can be tailored to a particular auction, particular lots of products within an auction, and to the particular time within an auction process. The bidding status of a lot can be set to a “pending” status after the nominal closing time for submission of bids to allow bidders to alert the auction coordinator of technical problems in submission of bids. This allows the possibility for a lot to be return to open status for further bidding by all bidders.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2007Publication date: June 19, 2008Inventors: Marc Alaia, David J. Becker, Anthony F. Bernard, Daniel C. Heckmann, Sam E. Kinney, Glen T. Meakem, Vincent F. Rago, Jason W. Reneau, Frederick W. Roberts, William D. Rupp, Robert G. Stevens
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Publication number: 20080133399Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically updating the value of a bid variable or the total bid for a multi-variable bid in an online auction is disclosed. The method includes displaying an automatically adjustable mechanism interfaced to a bidder. Thereafter, the automatic bid adjustments are calculated using the mechanism.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2007Publication date: June 5, 2008Inventors: William D. Rupp, Daniel Abeshouse, Robert G. Stevens, Sam E. Kinney, Vincent F. Rago, Scott W. Atkinson
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Publication number: 20080133398Abstract: A method and system for conducting electronic online auctions having disguised bidding is disclosed. Submitted bids are ordered on a basis of a comparative bid parameter used by an originator of an auction. The ordinal rank of a bid is reported to the bidder.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2007Publication date: June 5, 2008Inventors: Sam E. Kinney, Robert G. Stevens, John P. Levis
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Publication number: 20080133377Abstract: A method and system for conducting electronic auctions is described. A dynamic lot closing extension feature avoids collisions in closing times of multiple lots by dynamically extending the closing time of a subsequent lot if a preceding lot's closing time is extended to be too close to the subsequent lot's then-currently scheduled closing time. Scheduled closing times can be extended with a flexible overtime feature, in which the properties of the event triggering the extension and the duration of the overtime period(s) can be tailored to a particular auction, particular lots of products within an auction, and to the particular time within an auction process. The bidding status of a lot can be set to a “pending” status after the nominal closing time for submission of bids to allow bidders to alert the auction coordinator of technical problems in submission of bids. This allows the possibility for a lot to be return to open status for further bidding by all bidders.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2007Publication date: June 5, 2008Inventors: Marc Alaia, David J. Becker, Anthony F. Bernard, Daniel C. Heckmann, Sam E. Kinney, Glen T. Meakem, Vincent F. Rago, Jason W. Reneau, Frederick W. Roberts, William D. Rupp, Robert G. Stevens
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Patent number: 7383206Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically updating the value of a bid variable or the total bid for a multi-variable bid in an online auction is disclosed. The method includes displaying an automatically adjustable mechanism interfaced to a bidder. Thereafter, the automatic bid adjustments are calculated using the mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2000Date of Patent: June 3, 2008Assignee: Ariba, Inc.Inventors: William D. Rupp, Daniel Abeshouse, Robert G. Stevens, Sam E. Kinney, Vincent F. Rago, Scott W. Atkinson
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Patent number: 7283980Abstract: A method and system for conducting electronic auctions is described. A dynamic lot closing extension feature avoids collisions in closing times of multiple lots by dynamically extending the closing time of a subsequent lot if a preceding lot's closing time is extended to be too close to the subsequent lot's then-currently scheduled closing time. Scheduled closing times can be extended with a flexible overtime feature, in which the properties of the event triggering the extension and the duration of the overtime period(s) can be tailored to a particular auction, particular lots of products within an auction, and to the particular time within an auction process. The bidding status of a lot can be set to a “pending” status after the nominal closing time for submission of bids to allow bidders to alert the auction coordinator of technical problems in submission of bids. This allows the possibility for a lot to be return to open status for further bidding by all bidders.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2001Date of Patent: October 16, 2007Assignee: Ariba, Inc.Inventors: Marc Alaia, David J. Becker, Anthony F. Bernard, Daniel C. Heckmann, Sam E. Kinney, Jr., Glen T. Meakem, Vincent F. Rago, Jason Reneau, Frederick W. Roberts, William D. Rupp, Robert G. Stevens
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Method and system for conducting electronic auctions with multi-parameter price equalization bidding
Patent number: 7249085Abstract: A method and system for conducting electronic online auctions using multi-parameter price equalization bidding is disclosed. Bids defined in a context of a bidder are transformed into a comparative bid parameter that enables a common basis of comparison for the submitted bids. A transformed bid of a first bidder can also be detransformed into a context of a second bidder, thereby enabling each individual bidder to view a comparison of submitted bids in their own context.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 1999Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: Ariba, Inc.Inventors: Sam E. Kinney, Jr., Vincent F. Rago, Glen T. Meakem, Robert G. Stevens, David J. Becker, Anthony F. Bernard, William D. Rupp, Daniel C. Heckmann, Julia L. Rickert, Shane M. Tulloch, Jennifer L. Riddle, Nikki A. Sikes, John P. Levis, III -
Patent number: 7152043Abstract: A method and system for conducting electronic auctions is described. A dynamic lot closing extension feature avoids collisions in closing times of multiple lots by dynamically extending the closing time of a subsequent lot if a preceding lot's closing time is extended to be too close to the subsequent lot's then-currently scheduled closing time. In one embodiment, scheduled closing times can be extended with a flexible overtime feature, in which the properties of the event triggering the extension and the duration of the overtime period(s) can be tailored to a particular auction, particular lots of products within an auction, and to the particular time within an auction process.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2001Date of Patent: December 19, 2006Assignee: Ariba, Inc.Inventors: Marc Alaia, David J. Becker, Anthony F. Bernard, Daniel C. Heckmann, Sam E. Kinney, Jr., Glen T. Meakem, Vincent F. Rago, Jason Reneau, Frederick W. Roberts, William D. Rupp, Robert G. Stevens
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Patent number: 7010511Abstract: A method and system for an electronic auction is described. Bids by participating bidders are specified over multiple contract term segments (e.g., years), and define a pattern of cash payments over time. The auction system converts the defined pattern of cash payments over time into a net present value bid. The net present value bids are used to effect a comparison between participating bidders.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 1999Date of Patent: March 7, 2006Inventors: Sam E. Kinney, Jr., Vincent F. Rago, Glen T. Meakem, Robert G. Stevens, David J. Becker, Anthony F. Bernard, William D. Rupp, Daniel C. Heckmann
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Patent number: 6871191Abstract: A method and system for conducting electronic online auctions having partial quantity evaluated rank bidding is disclosed. Submitted bids are ordered on a basis of a comparative bid parameter used by an originator of an auction. The quantity required by the originator of the auction is then allocated to the offered quantities of the submitted bids based upon a ranked ordering of the bids.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2000Date of Patent: March 22, 2005Inventors: Sam E. Kinney, Jr., Robert G. Stevens, John P. Levis, III
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Patent number: 6564192Abstract: A method and system for conducting electronic online auctions between a plurality of potential bidders using differential index bidding is disclosed. The originator of the auction specifies one or more indexes as the basis for establishing a competitive price point. The index can be a published market index, or a proprietary price array developed by the buyer. The bidders specify bids as a percentage or absolute amount off of the one or more indexes. The originator of the auction compares the submitted bids and provides feedback to the bidders.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 1999Date of Patent: May 13, 2003Assignee: FreeMarkets, Inc.Inventors: Sam E. Kinney, Jr., Vincent F. Rago, Glen T. Meakem, Robert G. Stevens, David J. Becker, Anthony F. Bernard, William D. Rupp, Daniel C. Heckmann, Julia L. Rickert, David M. Sobie
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Publication number: 20020111894Abstract: A system and method for soliciting and receiving bids for goods or services necessary to satisfy a spot need of a buyer. The system receives a request to procure goods or services that are required to satisfy the spot need of the buyer. The request includes information identifying the type of goods or services being procured by the buyer. Next, the system automatically selects a plurality of suppliers to invite to the online auction by querying a supplier database with information from the request. The supplier database includes records identifying suppliers capable of supplying a plurality of different goods and services to a spot marketplace. For each supplier represented in the supplier database, a record is stored in the supplier database, which includes information representing the capabilities of the supplier to deliver at least one good or service.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2001Publication date: August 15, 2002Inventor: Robert G. Stevens
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Publication number: 20020099643Abstract: A method and system for conducting an auction having at least two competing bidders is disclosed. The method includes receiving bid data from at least one bidder and providing the bid data to a bidder that meets a condition for receiving the bid data. An apparatus for determining a suggested bid value that surpasses a selected bid is also disclosed. The apparatus includes a computer readable medium having stored thereon instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to provide a user selectable facility which, when selected establishes the value of the selected bid, calculates the suggested bid value by subtracting a predetermined minimum differential value from the selected bid value, and conveys the suggested bid value to the user.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2001Publication date: July 25, 2002Applicant: FreeMarkets, Inc.Inventors: Daniel Abeshouse, Scott W. Atkinson, David J. Becker, Sheila C. Halter, Kimberly A. Harrigal, Vincent F. Rago, William D. Rupp, David M. Scoular, Robert G. Stevens, Douglas R. Wagner, Robert B. Lang
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Publication number: 20020077959Abstract: A method and system for conducting electronic auctions is described. Lots in the auction are comprised of line items. Line item guidelines determine how adjustments are made to line item bid values when the value of the lot bid is adjusted. The value of a line item bid cannot be adjusted to exceed the line item bid maximum, or go below the line item bid minimum.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2001Publication date: June 20, 2002Inventors: Marc Alaia, David J. Becker, Anthony F. Bernard, Daniel C. Heckmann, Sam E. Kinney, Glen T. Meakem, Vincent F. Rago, Jason Reneau, Frederick W. Roberts, William D. Rupp, Robert G. Stevens
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Patent number: 6408283Abstract: A method and system for conducting electronic auctions is described. A dynamic lot closing extension feature avoids collisions in closing times of multiple lots by dynamically extending the closing time of a subsequent lot if a preceding lot's closing time is extended to be too close to the subsequent lot's then-currently scheduled closing time. Scheduled closing times can be extended with a flexible overtime feature, in which the properties of the event triggering the extension and the duration of the overtime period(s) can be tailored to a particular auction, particular lots of products within an auction, and to the particular time within an auction process. The bidding status of a lot can be set to a “pending” status after the nominal closing time for submission of bids to allow bidders to alert the auction coordinator of technical problems in submission of bids. This allows the possibility for a lot to be return to open status for further bidding by all bidders.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 1999Date of Patent: June 18, 2002Assignee: FreeMarkets, Inc.Inventors: Marc Alaia, David J. Becker, Sam E. Kinney, Jr., Vincent F. Rago, William D. Rupp, Robert G. Stevens
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Publication number: 20020046148Abstract: A method and system for conducting electronic auctions is described. A dynamic lot closing extension feature avoids collisions in closing times of multiple lots by dynamically extending the closing time of a subsequent lot if a preceding lot's closing time is extended to be too close to the subsequent lot's then-currently scheduled closing time. Scheduled closing times can be extended with a flexible overtime feature, in which the properties of the event triggering the extension and the duration of the overtime period(s) can be tailored to a particular auction, particular lots of products within an auction, and to the particular time within an auction process. The bidding status of a lot can be set to a “pending” status after the nominal closing time for submission of bids to allow bidders to alert the auction coordinator of technical problems in submission of bids. This allows the possibility for a lot to be return to open status for further bidding by all bidders.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2001Publication date: April 18, 2002Applicant: FreeMarkets OnLine, Inc.Inventors: Marc Alaia, David J. Becker, Anthony F. Bernard, Daniel C. Heckmann, Sam E. Kinney, Glen T. Meakem, Vincent F. Rago, Jason Reneau, Frederick W. Roberts, William D. Rupp, Robert G. Stevens
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Publication number: 20010037285Abstract: A method and system for conducting electronic auctions is described. A dynamic lot closing extension feature avoids collisions in closing times of multiple lots by dynamically extending the closing time of a subsequent lot if a preceding lot's closing time is extended to be too close to the subsequent lot's then-currently scheduled closing time. Scheduled closing times can be extended with a flexible overtime feature, in which the properties of the event triggering the extension and the duration of the overtime period(s) can be tailored to a particular auction, particular lots of products within an auction, and to the particular time within an auction process. The bidding status of a lot can be set to a “pending” status after the nominal closing time for submission of bids to allow bidders to alert the auction coordinator of technical problems in submission of bids. This allows the possibility for a lot to be return to open status for further bidding by all bidders.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2001Publication date: November 1, 2001Applicant: Free Markets OnLine, Inc.Inventors: Marc Alaia, David J. Becker, Anthony F. Bernard, Daniel C. Heckmann, Sam E. Kinney, Glen T. Meakem, Vincent F. Rago, Jason Reneau, Frederick W. Roberts, William D. Rupp, Robert G. Stevens
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Publication number: 20010032173Abstract: A method and system for conducting electronic auctions is described. A dynamic lot closing extension feature avoids collisions in closing times of multiple lots by dynamically extending the closing time of a subsequent lot if a preceding lot's closing time is extended to be too close to the subsequent lot's then-currently scheduled closing time. Scheduled closing times can be extended with a flexible overtime feature, in which the properties of the event triggering the extension and the duration of the overtime period(s) can be tailored to a particular auction, particular lots of products within an auction, and to the particular time within an auction process. The bidding status of a lot can be set to a “pending” status after the nominal closing time for submission of bids to allow bidders to alert the auction coordinator of technical problems in submission of bids. This allows the possibility for a lot to be return to open status for further bidding by all bidders.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2001Publication date: October 18, 2001Applicant: FreeMarkets Online, Inc.Inventors: Marc Alaia, David J. Becker, Anthony F. Bernard, Daniel C. Heckmann, Sam E. Kinney, Glen T. Meakem, Vincent F. Rago, Jason Reneau, Frederick W. Roberts, William D. Rupp, Robert G. Stevens
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Publication number: 20010027431Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically updating the value of a bid variable or the total bid for a multi-variable bid in an online auction is disclosed. The method includes displaying an automatically adjustable mechanism interfaced to a bidder. Thereafter, the automatic bid adjustments are calculated using the mechanism.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2000Publication date: October 4, 2001Inventors: William D. Rupp, Daniel Abeshouse, Robert G. Stevens, Sam E. Kinney, Vincent F. Rago, Scott W. Atkinson
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Publication number: 20010027434Abstract: A method and system for conducting electronic auctions is described. A dynamic lot closing extension feature avoids collisions in closing times of multiple lots by dynamically extending the closing time of a subsequent lot if a preceding lot's closing time is extended to be too close to the subsequent lot's then-currently scheduled closing time. Scheduled closing times can be extended with a flexible overtime feature, in which the properties of the event triggering the extension and the duration of the overtime period(s) can be tailored to a particular auction, particular lots of products within an auction, and to the particular time within an auction process. The bidding status of a lot can be set to a “pending” status after the nominal closing time for submission of bids to allow bidders to alert the auction coordinator of technical problems in submission of bids. This allows the possibility for a lot to be return to open status for further bidding by all bidders.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2001Publication date: October 4, 2001Applicant: Free Markets OnLine, Inc.Inventors: Marc Alaia, David J. Becker, Anthony F. Bernard, Daniel C. Heckmann, Sam E. Kinney, Glen T. Meakem, Vincent F. Rago, Jason Reneau, Frederick W. Roberts, William D. Rupp, Robert G. Stevens