Abstract: In an application for controlling an event, there is an indicator of the remaining duration for the event provided by the application during the event substantially simultaneously to each of a plurality of computing devices over a network for each computing device to use in creating a countdown graphic for display on a graphical user interface (GUI). The application updates the indicator as the event progresses and instructs each computing device to update the countdown graphic when the indicator is updated. If the application receives a first value from a first user during the event and determines that the first value is a triggering value, the application adjusts the remaining duration for the event and updates the indicator accordingly. If the application receives a second value from a second user and in response may override the adjusting of the remaining duration for the event.

Abstract: An application controls an online auction event. A scoring heuristic generates scores based on user activity during the auction event. The scoring heuristic provides score information about each of a plurality of users participating in the auction event to the application during the auction event and the application provides the score information substantially simultaneously during the auction event to each of a plurality of computing devices for inclusion on a scoreboard display on a graphical user interface (GUI) of each computing device. The scoring information includes a first score for each user participating in the auction event that represents points awarded during the auction of one item in the event. The auction event may include auctions of a plurality of items and the scoring heuristic maintains a second score for each user participating in the auction event that represents cumulative points awarded during the auction event.

Abstract: An application controls an online auction event. In the auction event, a user is provided a first selectable option for setting a bid value and a second selectable option for placing a bid at the bid value. A countdown value maintained by the server and provided to the computing device is set to an initial value at the beginning of the auction event, begins decreasing from the initial value according to a mathematical formula, and decreases to a final value at the end of the auction event. If the application receives a bid from the computing device during the auction event as a result of a user selecting the second selectable option and the application determines that the bid is a super bid, the application overrides the mathematical formula and adjusts the countdown value to a new value.

Abstract: A server runs an application for defining and controlling an auction event of multiple items, wherein the application is configured to provide display information during the auction event to each of a plurality of computing devices to use in determining the contents of a graphical user interface (GUI) display on the computing device. The GUI includes visual representations of an auction host who defined the auction event, an auctioneer who is auctioning an item in the auction event, an item currently being auctioned, a showcase area, and a countdown indicator. The auction event may include a lobby phase and a live auction phase. During the lobby phase, the GUI may include visual representations of a first item to be auctioned, a plurality of participants in the lobby area, and a user, and the user may select to move the user's visual representation to a different location within the lobby area.

Abstract: An online auction system comprising a preliminary bidding portion and a virtual auction portion is disclosed herein. The preliminary bidding portion allows bidders to access auction items and input bids during a preestablished extended period of time. After the preliminary bidding portion concludes, the virtual auction portion provides bidders the opportunity to input bids on each item consecutively and individually from the preliminary auction portion in a manner similar to a conventional live auction. During the virtual auction portion, bidders are provided with a countdown to encourage further bidding before the previous bid becomes final. After each new bid is inputted, the countdown is reinitiated. The countdown is reinitiated until no new bids are input. An alert system notifies bidders that a particular item of interest is about to be offered for bid as part of the virtual auction portion. The system also provides bidders means for inputting proxy bids.