Patents by Inventor Lawrence M. Ausubel

Lawrence M. Ausubel 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).

  • Publication number: 20140172613
    Abstract: This invention defines a computer system for conducting an auction of a plurality of items including receiving bids and determining an allocation of at least one of the items, the auction including a dynamic auction phase followed by a later phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Inventors: Lawrence M. Ausubel, Peter C. Cramton, Paul R. Milgrom
  • Publication number: 20140156440
    Abstract: The present invention implements an auction in which multiple types of goods may be auctioned in a dynamic process. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention is a system and method for computer implemented dynamic multi-unit auction in which the price paid or received by bidders tends to be independent of their own bids, in which participants may be provided with information concerning their competitors' bids as the auction progresses, and in which the confidentiality of high values may be maintained. Participants' quantities bid at a given time may be restricted to be less than or equal to the quantities bid at an earlier time. These features provide the advantage of improving economic efficiency of the auction design over the prior art.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Inventor: Lawrence M. Ausubel
  • Patent number: 8744924
    Abstract: The present invention is a system and method to sell or procure complementary goods. A complementary good according to the invention is a good whose value or utility is enhanced when paired with another good, such a pair of goods is a communication license to encumbered spectrum and a complementary clearing right to clear the spectrum of its encumbrance. The invention provides automated procedures to facilitate the fashioning and sale of clearing rights so as to enhance the value of the communications license.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Efficient Auctions LLC
    Inventors: Lawrence M. Ausubel, Peter C. Cramton, Paul R. Milgrom
  • Patent number: 8566211
    Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for a computer-implemented auction, based on a system with multiple bidder and auctioneer computers or terminals (20a-n,30) communicating with the server (10) over a network (40). The computers (20a-n) are employed by bidders, the computer (30) is employed by the auctioneer, and the server (10) is the auction computer. That server consist of a CPU (11), memory (12), a data storage device (13), a communication interface (140), a clock (150), an operating system (16), and an auction program (17). In one embodiment, the system architecture is as a client-server system: the auction computer is a server; and the bidder and auctioneer are clients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Efficient Auctions, LLC
    Inventors: Lawrence M. Ausubel, Paul R. Milgrom
  • Publication number: 20130254057
    Abstract: The present invention implements an auction in which multiple types of goods may be auctioned in a dynamic process. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention is a system and method for computer implemented dynamic multi-unit auction in which the price paid or received by bidders tends to be independent of their own bids, in which participants may be provided with information concerning their competitors' bids as the auction progresses, and in which the confidentiality of high values may be maintained. Participants' quantities bid at a given time may be restricted to be less than or equal to the quantities bid at an earlier time. These features provide the advantage of improving economic efficiency of the auction design over the prior art.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Inventor: Lawrence M. Ausubel
  • Patent number: 8447662
    Abstract: The present invention implements an auction in which multiple types of goods may be auctioned in a dynamic process. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention is a system and method for computer implemented dynamic multi-unit auction in which the price paid or received by bidders tends to be independent of their own bids, in which participants may be provided with information concerning their competitors' bids as the auction progresses, and in which the confidentiality of high values may be maintained. Participants' quantities bid at a given time may be restricted to be less than or equal to the quantities bid at an earlier time. These features provide the advantage of improving economic efficiency of the auction design over the prior art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Efficient Auctions LLC
    Inventor: Lawrence M. Ausubel
  • Patent number: 8335738
    Abstract: This invention defines a computer system for conducting an auction of a plurality of items including receiving bids and determining an allocation of at least one of the items, the auction including a dynamic auction phase followed by a later phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Efficient Auctions LLC
    Inventors: Lawrence M. Ausubel, Peter C. Cramton, Paul R. Milgrom
  • Publication number: 20120284141
    Abstract: This invention defines a computer system for conducting an auction of a plurality of items including receiving bids and determining an allocation of at least one of the items, the auction including a dynamic auction phase followed by a later phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Inventors: Lawrence M. Ausubel, Peter C. Cramton, Paul R. Milgrom
  • Patent number: 8224743
    Abstract: This invention defines a computer system for conducting an auction of a plurality of items including receiving bids and determining an allocation of at least one of the items, the auction including a dynamic auction phase followed by a later phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Efficient Auctions, LLC
    Inventors: Lawrence M. Ausubel, Peter C. Cramton, Paul R. Milgrom
  • Publication number: 20120179569
    Abstract: The present invention is a system and method to sell or procure complementary goods. A complementary good according to the invention is a good whose value or utility is enhanced when paired with another good, such a pair of goods is a communication license to encumbered spectrum and a complementary clearing right to clear the spectrum of its encumbrance. The invention provides automated procedures to facilitate the fashioning and sale of clearing rights so as to enhance the value of the communications license.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Inventors: Lawrence M. Ausubel, Peter C. Cramton, Paul R. Milgrom
  • Patent number: 8145555
    Abstract: The present invention is a system and method to sell or procure complementary goods. A complementary good according to the invention is a good whose value or utility is enhanced when paired with another good, such a pair of goods is a communications license to encumbered spectrum and a complementary clearing right to clear the spectrum of its encumbrance. The invention provides automated procedures to facilitate the fashioning and sale of clearing rights so as to enhance the value of the communications license.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Inventors: Lawrence M. Ausubel, Peter C. Cramton, Paul R. Milgrom
  • Patent number: 8065224
    Abstract: A computer implemented system and method of executing an auction. The system has at least two intelligent systems, one for the auctioneer and at least one for a user. The auction is conducted by the auctioneer's system communicating with the user system(s). The auctioneer's system receives information from the user system(s) based on bid information entered by the user(s). With this information the auctioneer's system determines whether the auction can be concluded or not and appropriate messages are transmitted to the user(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Inventor: Lawrence M. Ausubel
  • Patent number: 7966247
    Abstract: An automated system for conducting an auction and a method for operating the system. The system comprises a plurality of bid entry terminal and a bidding information processor communicatively coupled to the bid entry terminals. Bidders at the bid entry terminals observe displayed information and enter bids accordingly. The bidding information processor and the bid entry terminals communicate and process information in order to conduct an auction. The method involves conducting an auction in which the price paid by bidders is independent of their own bids, in which participants are provided with information concerning their competitors' bids as the auction progresses, and in which the confidentiality of high values is maintained. This provides the advantage of improving the economic efficiency of the auction design over the existing art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Efficient Auctions LLC
    Inventor: Lawrence M. Ausubel
  • Publication number: 20110145133
    Abstract: An improved system and method for a computer-implemented auction in which multiple types of items are auctioned together without imposing a particular division of supply or demand among the individual types of items. In some embodiments the auction of the present invention provides a means or method for establishing prices for the types of items, wherein the prices maintain a relationship. In other embodiments, the present invention provides a means or method for implying prices from price parameters in the bids received form bidders, based on a relation among the prices for the types of items. Market clearing may be defined by the condition that the aggregate quantity bid for all types of items is less than or equal to the available quantity of all types of items. The division among the types of items within is thus determined flexibly, based on the bids at the associated prices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Inventors: Lawrence M. Ausubel, Peter C. Cramton, Wynne P. Jones
  • Publication number: 20110106647
    Abstract: The present invention implements an auction in which multiple types of goods may be auctioned in a dynamic process. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention is a system and method for computer implemented dynamic multi-unit auction in which the price paid or received by bidders tends to be independent of their own bids, in which participants may be provided with information concerning their competitors' bids as the auction progresses, and in which the confidentiality of high values may be maintained. Participants' quantities bid at a given time may be restricted to be less than or equal to the quantities bid at an earlier time. These features provide the advantage of improving economic efficiency of the auction design over the prior art.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2011
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventor: Lawrence M. Ausubel
  • Publication number: 20110082762
    Abstract: This invention defines a computer system for conducting an auction of a plurality of items including receiving bids and determining an allocation of at least one of the items, the auction including a dynamic auction phase followed by a later phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Applicant: Efficient Auctions LLC
    Inventors: Lawrence M. Ausubel, Peter C. Cramton, Paul R. Milgrom
  • Patent number: 7899734
    Abstract: An improved system and method for a computer-implemented auction in which multiple types of items are auctioned together without imposing a particular division of supply or demand among the individual types of items. In some embodiments the auction of the present invention provides a means or method for establishing prices for the types of items, wherein the prices maintain a relationship. In other embodiments, the present invention provides a means or method for implying prices from price parameters in the bids received form bidders, based on a relation among the prices for the types of items. Market clearing may be defined by the condition that the aggregate quantity bid for all types of items is less than or equal to the available quantity of all types of items. The division among the types of items within is thus determined flexibly, based on the bids at the associated prices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Inventors: Lawrence M. Ausubel, Peter C. Cramton, Wynne P. Jones
  • Patent number: 7870050
    Abstract: The present invention implements an auction in which multiple types of goods may be auctioned in a dynamic process. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention is a system and method for a computer implemented dynamic multi-unit auction in which the price paid or received by bidders tends to be independent of their own bids, in which participants may be provided with information concerning their competitors' bids as the auction progresses, and in which the confidentiality of high values may be maintained. Participants' quantities bid at a given time may be restricted to be less than or equal to the quantities bid at an earlier time. These features provide the advantage of improving economic efficiency of the auction design over the prior art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Inventor: Lawrence M. Ausubel
  • Patent number: 7774264
    Abstract: A computer implemented system and method of executing an auction. The system has at least two intelligent systems, one for the auctioneer and at least one for a user. The auction is conducted by the auctioneer's system communicating with the user system(s). The auctioneer's system receives information from the user system(s) based on bid information entered by the user(s). With this information the auctioneer's system determines whether the auction can be concluded or not and appropriate messages are transmitted to the user(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Efficient Auctions LLC
    Inventor: Lawrence M. Ausubel
  • Patent number: 7729975
    Abstract: The present invention primarily concerns hybrid auctions that may, for example, combine a clock auction with a proxy auction. Hybrid auctions include multi-item auctions that comprise at least two phases of package auctions: an earlier phase in which bidders participate in a clock auction (or other dynamic auction); and a later phase in which bidders participate in a proxy auction (or some other package auction). By combining the earlier phase and the later phase as in some of the embodiments described herein, it is possible to combine the advantages of the dynamic auction and the advantages of the sealed-bid package auction. In particular, if the earlier phase is a clock auction and the later phase is a proxy auction, then the resulting hybrid auction will combine the transparency and simplicity of the clock auction with the efficient outcome and competitive revenues of the proxy auction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Efficient Auctions LLC
    Inventors: Lawrence M. Ausubel, Peter C. Cramton, Paul R. Milgrom