Patents by Inventor Sam E. Kinney
Sam E. Kinney 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).
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
Patent number: 6499018Abstract: 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: December 24, 2002Assignee: FreeMarkets, Inc.Inventors: Marc Alaia, David J. Becker, Sam E. Kinney, Jr., Vincent F. Rago, William D. Rupp
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
Publication number: 20010039528Abstract: A method of allocating an award in an auction wherein an award for a given auction round is allocated amongst a plurality of highest ranked bidders including at least a first ranked bidder and a second ranked bidder is disclosed. The method provides an incentive to the first ranked bidder and the second ranked bidder to each improve their respective bids during the conducting of the auction. The method includes adopting a formula for allocating the award amongst at least the first ranked bidder and the second ranked bidder, conducting the electronic auction, and allocating the award between at least the first and second ranked bidders in accordance with the formula and the bids of the first and second ranked bidders. A factor of the formula is an actual bid differential between a bid of the first ranked bidder and a bid of the second ranked bidder.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2000Publication date: November 8, 2001Inventors: Scott W. Atkinson, Boaz Maor, Sam E. Kinney, Tao Wang
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
Patent number: 6230146Abstract: 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: February 19, 1999Date of Patent: May 8, 2001Assignee: FreeMarkets, 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
-
Patent number: 6230147Abstract: 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: May 8, 2001Assignee: FreeMarkets, 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
-
Patent number: 6223167Abstract: 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: April 24, 2001Assignee: FreeMarkets, 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
-
Patent number: 6216114Abstract: A method and system for conducting electronic auctions is described. A mic 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 can be extended with a flexible overtime feature, in which the properties of the event triggering the extension and the 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. t 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 bidding by all bidders.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 1999Date of Patent: April 10, 2001Assignee: FreeMarkets, 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
-
Patent number: 6199050Abstract: 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: March 6, 2001Assignee: Freemarkets Online 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
-
Patent number: 4888017Abstract: A proshesis apparatus method for implanting the apparatus, and method for controlling eustachian tube function includes an inflatable member dimensioned for at least partial receipt in a patient's eustachian tube. The inflatable member is operatively connected to means for selectively and volitionally inflating and deflating the member to close and open the eustachian tube. The inflating and deflating means preferably has a manually actuated pump disposed in subcutaneous tissue behind the ear and on the skull that communicates with the inflatable member. A reservoir means is placed in a surgically created mastoid cavity used for implanting the prosthesis. Alternatively, the reservoir means is formed as a portion of the pump. The eustachian tube function is controlled through selective inflation and deflation of the inflatable member to close and open the eustachian tube in a manner that simulates a normal, healthy eustachian tube.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 1987Date of Patent: December 19, 1989Assignee: The Cleveland Clinic FoundationInventors: Richard A. DeVore, Sam E. Kinney