Abstract: A method and system for selling goods over the internet including a live, real-time interactive online auction with communication between the auctioneer and registered prospective bidders.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of buying and selling a service between a customer and a service provider, a system for buying and selling services that may go unused, and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium device carrying one or more sequences of one or more instructions which, when executed by one or more persons, cause an apparatus to perform said method and system. The method generally comprises submitting a bid for buying a service by the customer in a database; setting an expiration date for acceptance of the bid by the service provider into the database; and accepting the bid in the database by the service provider for selling the service.

Abstract: This invention provides for a method of (or apparatus for) facilitating the display of items of multiple transaction types in a commingled listing. The display of items of multiple transaction types in a commingled listing may include items which are being offered by a specific Seller at a network based commerce facility.

Abstract: A method for auctioning a lot, in which a plurality of messages are received from a plurality of bidders for the lot, with each message including a bid for the lot. A bid acceptance message is sent by SMS to each of the bidders notifying the bidder of the status of the bidder's bid. Each bidder is charged for sending the bid acceptance message. The bidder associated with the lowest unique bid for the lot is determined.

Abstract: In one implementation, an online auction for a cohort of users that have a pre-established association with a scheduled experience may be provided. The cohort associated with the scheduled experience may be determined. The cohort may comprise a plurality of users that have a pre-established association with the scheduled experience. Auction information related to an auction for one or more items may be received. One or more users of the cohort may be associated as participants of the auction. The auction may be conducted for the one or more items.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media that may be used to populate a content interface having several positions are provided. One method includes determining a first set of eligible content bids by comparing a performance characteristic of each content bid with a first threshold value. The method further includes conducting a first auction process on the first set of one or more eligible content bids to determine one or more first content items to be displayed in at least one position of a content interface. The method further includes determining a second set of eligible content bids by comparing a performance characteristic of each content bid with a second threshold value. The method further includes conducting a second auction process on the second set of one or more eligible content bids to determine content items to be displayed in at least one other position of the content interface.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media that may be used to populate a content interface having several positions are provided. One method includes conducting at least one first auction process to select a first set of one or more winning content bids based in part on a first eligibility constraint. The first eligibility constraint includes a limitation on the number of winning bids that share a particular characteristic. The method further includes, when the number of winning content bids is less than a number of positions within the content interface, conducting at least one second auction process to select a second set of one or more winning content bids by either disabling the first eligibility constraint or applying a second eligibility constraint. The second eligibility constraint permits a larger number of winning content bids to share the particular characteristic than are permitted under the first eligibility constraint.

Abstract: Once a product in an auction has been purchased, a message relay (101) relays messages about sale and purchase of the product exchanged between a seller of the product and a bidder who is the winning bidder of the product, between a seller terminal used by the seller and a bidder terminal used by the winning bidder. A history storage (102) stores a history of the relayed messages. An information generator (103) uses the history to (1) estimate a seller's time that is required by the seller, in a period from when a not-yet purchased product is purchased until the product will be dispatched (2) estimates a bidder's time that is required by the bidder in the period from when the not-yet purchased product is purchased until the product will be dispatched and (3) calculates a sum of the seller's time and bidder's time, and employs the calculated sum as the expected period that is required from when the not-yet purchased product is purchased until the product will be dispatched.

Abstract: Detailed information about a particular used motor vehicle is quickly provided to a potential buyer having a personal digital assistant equipped with a receiving means. To provide the information, it is first necessary to obtain standard information about used motor vehicle values in digital form from a provider of such information. It is then necessary to obtain specific information about an inventory of used motor vehicles from the owner or seller of the vehicles. The standard information and the specific information are then integrated on a server computer and transmitted to the potential buyer.

Abstract: An auction apparatus includes a reception unit, an item information obtaining unit, a selling information generation unit, and an auction execution unit. The reception unit receives selling request including item ID and user ID. The item information obtaining unit obtains item information corresponding to the user ID and the item ID included in the received selling request from a kept item management apparatus storing item information associated with the item ID and the user ID when the reception unit receives the selling request. The selling information generation unit generates selling information including information required in an auction for selling using the item information obtained by the item information obtaining unit in response to the selling request. The auction execution unit executes the auction using the generated selling information.

Abstract: Generating a listing in a network-based commerce system Listing identification data is received from a user, and listing data associated with the listing, based on the listing identification data, is retrieved. Thereafter, a listing is generated that is at least partially based on the listing data tier posting on the network-based commerce system. In one embodiment, the user may edit the listing data prior to the listing being posted. The network-based commerce system may include a database of listing data associated with at least one of movies, music, games, books and motor vehicles. In one embodiment, the proposed listing comprises a plurality of check boxes each of which is associated with an attribute of the listing and the system automatically, without human intervention, checks attributes based on the listing data. The editing by the user may include the user selecting one or more of the check boxes.

Abstract: A decrementing live online auction system is provided. The auction system is capable of handling any number of potential buyers bidding on one or more items in one or more auctions. The system may be implemented on a computer and accessible by users on computers. This system may be accessible to a user even with a slow and intermittent internet connection, such as a user on a cellular network connection.

Abstract: A novel online auction system in which both sellers and buyers are compelled to bid their “true value”. Potential buyers solicit desired items or services and submit sealed bids. A demand curve is created based on buyer bids, and a potential seller can use the curve to create its own sealed bid. A winning seller is determined, however the system uses the bid of the second-lowest bidding seller to establish the ultimate group of winning buyers and sale price. Winning sellers can choose lower prices to capture higher sale quantities. Second or multiple transactions can be implemented from a single bid, if included in the winning set of bids.

Abstract: A method and system enables the formation of an ad hoc group to negotiate a bulk purchase of a product or service in an online user networking environment and to execute the bulk purchase using an electronic commerce transaction.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, circuits, devices, systems and associated computer executable code for facilitating local hosting and access of internet based information. Zone Specific Hosting Server(s) host content associated with a specific zone of a wireless or cellular network, while Zone Specific Domain Name System Server(s) store Domain Name System records of content stored on the Zone Specific Hosting Server(s). A Hosting Deployment System deploys content to one or more of the Zone Specific Hosting Server(s) and updates the records of the Zone Specific Domain Name System Server(s) in accordance, and a Transparent Breakout Engine allows access and directs client devices of the wireless or cellular network to content hosted on the Zone Specific Hosting Server(s) based on the Zone Specific Domain Name System Server(s) records.

Abstract: A user interface is provided which presents a text box representing an area in which a user can enter a proxy bid for an online auction, the text box being presented within a button operable by the user to activate the proxy bid. Then input is received from the user in the text box presented within the button. The input is then placed as a bid in the online auction upon receiving a selection of the button, the selection being indicated by an activation of the button outside the area represented by the text box.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to computer-implemented systems and methods for searching auction data. According to one or more embodiments of the disclosure, a method is provided. The method may include accessing auction data associated with a plurality of auction lanes in a vehicle auction. The method may also include determining, based at least in part on the auction data, one or more vehicles being auctioned at one or more of the plurality of auction lanes. Additionally, the method may include displaying respective graphical views associated with a subset of the one or more vehicles. Furthermore, the method may include ordering the respective graphical views based at least in part on respective auction times and respective remaining auction times for the subset of the one or more vehicles.

Abstract: A network based construction project management system. The system includes network accessible databases of project information including drawings and specifications. The system allows for varying amount of access for various user including general contractors, subcontractors, architects and project owners. The system allows for the effective creation, management and long term accessible storage of project submittals.

Abstract: Apparatus, method, program, and recording medium for notifying the probability of bids by other user to a user before the other user makes a bid. An information processing server specifies an alert notification target auction where a prompt decision price has been set, specifies a bid price monitoring target auction where at least one of an item name and an item code of an item exhibited in the alert notification target auction is matched, and notifies an alert to at least one of a bidder who makes a bid at the alert notification target auction where the prompt decision price has been set, and a certain potential bidder who probably makes a bid at the auction, when the highest bid price in the bid price monitoring target auction satisfies the predetermined condition for the reference price according to the prompt decision price set to the alert notification target auction.

Abstract: A method for providing auctioning guide search, according to one embodiment of the present invention, comprises: an auction guide search provision server outputting to an auction bidding user terminal a keyword input interface, which is an interface enabled with keyword input for searching an auction item, when an auction registered user terminal receives a request input for searching a registered auction item from a connected auction bidding user terminal; determining whether the number of auction items searched through an inputted auction item search keyword exceeds a predetermined number, when the inputted auction item search keyword to be searched is received from the auction bidding user terminal; outputting to the auction bidding user terminal at least one auction item from results that exceed the predetermined number so that a user can select a desired auction item from the number of auction items that exceed the predetermined number, when the number of auction items searched exceeds the predetermined

Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems and methods for implementing heuristic-based auctions for complex resource allocations. The systems and methods include an auctioneer's system that uses a bid-entry device comprising a dedicated system for each bidder to collect bid information and a mechanism by which the auctioneer may communicate results or current prices to bidders in a dynamic process. The auctioneer's system may be coupled to a database that stores information about the items for sale including bid information. The auctioneer's system may be configured to query this database and receive answers with information required to determine allocations and prices. The auctioneer's system may also be coupled, via a communication link, to one or more feasibility-checker systems, comprising a parallel array of one or more computing systems that implements the feasibility-checking process at any given round in a dynamic implementation or any computational iteration in a sealed-bid implementation.

Abstract: A method is disclosed herein for displaying time lapse for an on-line auction for an item in a computer. According to the method, the processor time in the computer is obtained and compared to the official auction time for the items being auctioned in the on-line auction which is obtained from the on-line auction service. The users computer compares the obtained processor time to the obtained official auction time and correlates the end of time from the on-line auction service to a processor end of time which corresponds to the user's time. The computer then displays the time left correlated to the processor's time preferably in a visual countdown graphical icon.

Abstract: An auctioning system and methods interacting with multiple devices are set forth that includes a main server, remote terminals, and remote individual communication devices that communicate with one another and are adapted to display information to a user about a product or service for sale, and information pertaining to predefined auction parameters for the user to attempt to purchase said product or service.

Abstract: A method performed on a computer server system hosting an electronic commerce platform is provided for incentivizing provision of sales assistance services by customer service representatives to sellers of products or services on the platform, without inflating product or service pricing with commission fees or artificially lowering product pricing. Thereby a number of sellers participating on the platform may be increased. A registration is received from a seller for access to the platform. The seller is charged a periodic fee for access to features of the platform additional to sale listings. A listing of a product or service for sale by the seller is received on the platform. The registration from the seller is associated with a customer service representative indicated as providing assistance services to the seller in listing the product or service for sale on the platform. A transaction for a purchase of the product or service is processed.

Abstract: A method and system for negotiating improved terms for a product being purchased over the Internet. Once a purchaser has made a decision to buy a specific product over the Internet, the purchaser may use the services of a personal negotiating broker-agent program to beat the best available purchase transaction within a specifiable time window. The personal broker-agent program may detect an issuance of a commitment to purchase over the Internet by a purchaser. The personal broker-agent program may then make an offer to the purchaser the option of waiting a predetermined amount of time while the broker agent searches for improved items. On acceptance of the option by the purchaser, the personal broker-agent program may conduct an auction and/or search the Internet for a better deal and may evaluate the auction and/or search responses to determine the best deal. The personal broker-agent program may then execute the best deal.

Abstract: An auctioning system and methods interacting with multiple devices are set forth that includes a main server, remote terminals, and remote individual communication devices that communicate with one another and are adapted to display information to a user about a product or service for sale, and information pertaining to predefined auction parameters for the user to attempt to purchase said product or service.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method of conducting an electronic auction. The method may include: identifying a plurality of land listings that each correspond to a parcel of land that is available for auction; identifying the parcel of land of one land listing of the plurality of land listings; providing an electronic auction for the identified parcel of land; determining, using one or more of the plurality of land listings, an additional parcel of land that is available for auction, the additional parcel of land being spatially proximate to the identified parcel of land; and providing a user interface for displaying the identified parcel of land, displaying a physical position of the identified parcel of land relative to the additional parcel of land, and receiving bid inputs for the electronic auction.

Abstract: A pooling method includes steps of providing each user of the social network system with bidding money, providing with bidding tickets; forming a bidding team of a maximum number of members among the plurality of users, and each member's entering the auction room by satisfying the auction-room-entrance condition and participating the bidding session as the bidding team by satisfying the auction-entrance condition. If any one or more members of the bidding team win the auction satisfying a predetermined winning condition, all the members of the bidding team are awarded with the target item and their BM, the BT, the BM+BT, or their combinations are nullified, which are used in the bidding session. If losing the auction, their BM, the BT, the BM+BT or their combinations of each member of the bidding team are nullified or refunded partially or entirely.

Abstract: The present invention concerns computer-based methods and systems for performing buyer-initiated reverse auctions to purchase consumer products and services. The invention allows a prospective buyer who commits to purchase a particular consumer good or service for not more than a buyer-specified price to initiate a reverse auction online amongst accredited vendors of the consumer product or service in order to purchase the product or service on terms at least as favorable as initially specified by the buyer. In a preferred embodiment, a computer system according to the invention includes a network computer that receives particular product/service descriptions and buyer-specified price ceilings from financially committed buyers. The system then initiates a reverse auction amongst accredited potential vendors who bid against one another in an effort to secure the sale. Upon the auction's closing, the accredited vendor that offered the most favorable terms to the buyer is awarded the sale.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a service to goods and/or service providers and consumers in the traditional context of a “first-come, first-served queue” or “class based” queue. A provider presents a listing of one or offerings to consumers to solicit bids for a good or service associated with the offering. After receiving an acceptable bid from a user, the provider provides feedback regarding the bid that indicates the ranking of the user with respect to other bidders in the bidding process. Based on the feedback, the user may submit a modified bid. Following confirmation of a bid by a user, a winning bid is determined and the user is notified.

Abstract: The present invention concerns computer-based methods and systems for performing buyer-initiated reverse auctions to purchase consumer products and services. The invention allows a prospective buyer who commits to purchase a particular consumer good or service for not more than a buyer-specified price to initiate a reverse auction online amongst accredited vendors of the consumer product or service in order to purchase the product or service on terms at least as favorable as initially specified by the buyer. In a preferred embodiment, a computer system according to the invention includes a network computer that receives particular product/service descriptions and buyer-specified price ceilings from financially committed buyers. The system then initiates a reverse auction amongst accredited potential vendors who bid against one another in an effort to secure the sale. Upon the auction's closing, the accredited vendor that offered the most favorable terms to the buyer is awarded the sale.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to multi-dimensional surface-based bid matching. An aspect includes receiving a bid from a first user, the bid comprising a plurality of ranges, wherein each range of the plurality of ranges corresponds to a respective dimension of a plurality of dimensions. Another aspect includes determining a first bid surface in the plurality of dimensions based on the plurality of ranges of the bid of the first user. Another aspect includes modifying the first bid surface based on a match to the bid of the first user, the match comprising a point on a second bid surface corresponding to a bid from a second user. Another aspect includes wherein, if the first user comprises a work requester, the second user comprises a work producer, and if the first user comprises a work producer, the second user comprises a work requester.

Abstract: A method of hosting an auction is disclosed. The auction has, for each specified time, a current highest bid value. The method includes receiving, from a first bidder, a first bid having a first bid value. The method also includes evaluating the first bid to a) determine that the first bid value exceeds the current highest bid value of the auction by at least a first minimum increment, b) determine that the first bid value is within a first price range, and c) determine that the first bidder has placed at least one previous bid, such that the at least one previous bid caused the current highest bid value to be increased by at least a first minimum total amount. The method also includes replacing the current highest bid value with the value of the first bid received from the first bidder.

Abstract: A communication server 200 acquires a request specifying a desired location for content creation from a requester terminal 310, and provides a notification of the request to an accepter terminal 300 accepting the content creation. The notification history managing unit 206 stores, as notification history, the distance from an accepter terminal to be provided with the notification to the desired recoding location and acceptance information. Upon acquisition of a new request, a request notification terminal selecting unit 203 selects a accepter terminal 300 that is likely to accept the request according to the notification history, and the request notifying unit 204 provides the selected accepter terminal 300 with the notification.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for allocating content. In one aspect, a method includes identifying bids for a plurality of eligible bidders that are eligible to provide a content item in response to a content item request. From among the eligible bidders, a set of passback bidders having a passback capability are identified. The passback capability provides passback bidders an option refuse to provide a content item. From among the bidders, a set of general bidders, for which the passback capability is not enabled, are identified. A bidder chain that includes a highest general bidder and passback bidders is generated. A highest bidder in the bidder chain that does not refuse to provide a content item after being identified as the winning bidder is selected as the final bidder.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for providing a service to a device having an interest in a specific service in a device-to-device (D2D) condition. The method includes: searching for a device which enters into an area managed by a device which provides the specific service; and identifying an interest of the searched device in the specific service and inviting the searched device to participate in the specific service. In the method, by selectively connecting a session based on a service interest, an efficient management in view of an entire network capacity is possible and an advantage of reducing a time for session connection is achieved.

Abstract: An auction system is disclosed in which a submitting node device is configured to transmit to an auction management device product information describing a product, re-auction information indicating whether or not the product is to be re-auctioned when an initial auction fails to result in a transaction, and sale conditions information including sale conditions for the product. The auction management device is configured to present said product for auction, based on said product information. The auction management device is also configured to receive at least one bid indicating purchase conditions from at least one bidding node device. Additionally, the auction management device is configured to determine whether the purchase conditions match the sale conditions. The auction management device is also configured to, when (i) the purchase conditions do not match the sale conditions and (ii) the re-auction information indicates that the product is to be re-auctioned, re-present said product for auction.

Abstract: A method and system for determining an order of presentation of the search results is provided. An example system comprises a search request detector, a search engine, and an intermingler. The search request detector may be configured to receive a search request, and the search engine may be configured to determine search results based on the search request. The search results may comprise a first set of items of a first type and a second set of items of a second type. The number of items in the first set and the number of items in the second may reflect a predetermined target ratio. The intermingler may be configured to determine an order of presentation of the search results in a list of search results based on the target ratio.

Abstract: Provided are an auction method and server that enable a seller and bidders to determine the price of a product at their own discretion by enabling the bidders to participate in a bid between the lowest price offered by the seller and the highest price of the product, and give benefit to both the seller and successful bidders by applying the successful bid price of a lowest successful bidder to all the successful bidders as a sale price.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described to facilitate the leasing of property, including the posting of properties to be leased, accepting bids from applicants, and mediating an auction process. The method and apparatus accepts multiple criteria bids, such as a rent, lease term, and move in date, and ranks the offers provided by applicants. Alternatively, or in addition, the method and apparatus includes the ability for the owner to set terms which may be accepted without competitive bidding among applicants. The method and apparatus also include the ability to provide applicants with feedback on the ranking of their bid.

Abstract: The ability to participate in an active auction is enabled for remote bidders by allowing the remote bidder to use a bidding device coupled to an active auction through a network. The remote bidding device receives live audio from the auction with minimal delay, and can receive and provide bidding information to the auction in real time. As such, the remote bidder can participate with equal standing as local participants.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method and system for trading goods and services through recurring auctions. Recurring auctions are increasingly popular form of markets for perishable and time-sensitive resources. Traditional auctions strive to motivate bidders to bid their true valuation of the resources traded. Yet, when successful, they also quickly divide the recurring auction bidders into permanent winners and permanent losers. The latter have no incentive to stay in the market, so they leave, decreasing the competitive pressure and depressing pricing. The present invention introduces a novel winner selection method to maintain customers' interest in auction participation that employs participant retention mechanism in assigning traded resources to bidders. The winners are selected from a wider range of bidder ranks than in traditional auction mechanisms. For a group of bidders, winner selection takes into account bid values, and winnings and participation of each bidder in the previous auction rounds.

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 auctioner, 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 architectura is as a client-server system: the auction computer is a server; and the bidder and auctioneer are clients.

Abstract: Transferring online privileges, including: receiving a request for a payment including one or more non-financial items; debiting the one or more non-financial items from a second account; and crediting the one or more non-financial items to a first account, wherein the first account and the second account are accounts residing in a points server.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a technology for purchasing an item to purchase automatically and jointly by using the internet, in particular to a purchasing system and a method thereof on the internet which is capable of economizing human and material resources and lowering the unit cost of an item by performing all processes from a notice of tender to an ordering automatically on the internet and purchasing an item required for many companies and establishments jointly.

Abstract: A method and system of optimizing portion bidding in a lot auction is provided. Disclosed examples include a bid detector configured to identify the occurrence of portion bidding in a lot auction. Further features can include communication module configured to communicate auction updates to the lot bidders participating in the auction.

Abstract: A method and system for conducting an online property auction whereby the system allows for identifying an owner of property willing to sell his property by an online auction, entering into a contract with the owner obligating him to complete the sales of his property conducted pursuant to terms of the contract; pre-arranging a minimum auction price for his property that accounts for the owner's interest, plus costs and fees, conducting the on-line auction with a plurality of bidders for his property whereby at the on-line auction's conclusion there is a winning bidder and ensuring the transfer of the winning bidder's funds to the escrow holder.

Abstract: Bidding activity is analyzed over a duration in which multiple bids are received in the auction. A bid increment is dynamically determined for the auction in response to auction activity. An online auction system can utilize the bid increment to determine or suggest the next bid that can be received in the auction for purpose of supplanting the current bid.

Abstract: A method for providing information about an auction for a plurality of assets is provided. A plurality of assets that is made to be available during an auction is identified. Each of the plurality of assets includes an auction state. During the auction, a matrix interface is displayed. The matrix interface includes a plurality of entries, where each entry identifies a corresponding asset and the auction state of that asset. The auction state of one or more assets is dynamically updated during the auction.

Abstract: A computer-based auction method and auction system in which vendors offer products, services and/or information as auction objects, auction object data relating to the auction objects being captured in an input module and being disseminated over telecommunications channels, and in which interested customers make auction bids for offered auction objects, bid data being prepared and being sent over a telecommunications network to an evaluation unit, where they are evaluated and the best bid for the auction object is determined, class designations based on a predefined object classification being inserted into the auction object data and the auction object data being filtered based on customer-specific object profiles, and during the preparation of the bid data in the communication terminal of the customer a bid amount entered by the interested customer is linked to at least certain data contained in the auction object data.