Online Auction Computer Network System

Abstract

An online auction computer network system includes enhanced interactivity between users and an auctioneer. The system includes a webpage that shows a list of items to be auctioned, along with current bids on each item, the time remaining until the auction is over and bids will no longer be accepted. The computer server and processor may additionally provide a live stream audio and video feed of an auctioneer to the user computing device, as well as a chat box feature. The chat box feature allows users to communicate questions and comments solely to the auctioneer. Other users are prevented from viewing communications sent to the auctioneer through the chat box feature. The auctioneer may choose to answer the questions posed by the users through the chat box feature during his or her ongoing commentary.

Claims

1. A system that enables an individual to remotely participate in an active auction over a network using a processing device, the system comprising: a processor configure to: receive auction bids from the processing device of the individual for an item that is being auctioned; receive the entry of bid information from the one or more other entities; and transmit bid status information toward the processing device of the individual; an audio/video system coupled to the network, the audio system configured to: capture live audio of an auctioneer in real-time during said auction; and transmit the live audio and video over the network towards the processing device.

2. The system set forth in claim 1, wherein said processor is further configured to receive entries of bid information for multiple auction items simultaneously.

3. The system set forth in claim 1, wherein said processor is further configured to receive text messages from said individual and display said text messages to said auctioneer so that other entities are prevented from viewing said text messages.

4. The system set forth in claim 1, wherein said processor is further configured to end said auction at a specified time.

5. The system set forth in claim 4, wherein said processor is further configured to extend said auction for a first preset time period if a bid is received within a second preset time period before said auction is scheduled to end.

6. The system set forth in claim 1, wherein said processor is further configured to send a notification to said individual to notify said individual that another entity has submitted a higher bid than said individual's latest bid on a specific auction item.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:

[0021] FIG. 1 is a simulated screenshot of one embodiment of the present invention, showing a webpage having a list of items to be auctioned, a time indicator showing how much time is left for users to make a bid, the amount of the current bid price for each item, an asking bid, and an inset video box showing an auctioneer providing ongoing commentary on the auction;

[0022] FIG. 2 is a simulated screenshot of one embodiment of the present invention, showing a webpage having a list of items to be auctioned, a time indicator showing how much time is left for users to make a bid, the amount of the current bid price for each item, an asking bid, and an inset video box showing an auctioneer providing ongoing commentary on the auction, and an inset chat box where users may send text questions and comments directly to the auctioneer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] Overview

[0024] The present invention includes, in a first embodiment, an online auction computer network system that provides a unique user experience, and includes enhanced interactivity between users (bidders and auction participants) and an auctioneer. The system includes a webpage that shows a list of items to be auctioned, along with current bids on each item, the time remaining until the auction is over and bids will no longer be accepted.

[0025] Additionally, because bidders and auction participants tend to enjoy the interplay between themselves and the auctioneer, the system provides an auction website having a screen that includes, among other information, a list of items to be auctioned 12, a time indicator 14 showing how much time is left for users to make a bid, the amount of the current bid price 16 for each item, an asking bid price 18. Additionally, an inset auctioneer box 20 that includes a real-time live-stream audio/video feed of an auctioneer who offers commentary on the auction, the latest bids on particular items, and other information about auction-related topics. Unlike a live auction, where the auctioneer takes bids on one item at a time until there are no higher bids, in this format, the auction includes a plurality of items being auctioned at the same time, and online bidders may make bids on any or all items simultaneously. In the present case, the auctioneer provides commentary on items of interest to the bidders in real time. If a “bidding war” heats up between multiple bidders for a particular item, the auctioneer may focus on that item and attempt to solicit additional bids for that item.

[0026] Another feature that enhances the interplay between the auctioneer and the users is a chat box 22 that is provided on the webpage, wherein the users may write text questions or comments to send to the auctioneer. In one embodiment, the inset auctioneer box 20 with the live audio/video feed of the auctioneer includes a chat icon 24 along a top bar thereon, as shown in FIG. 1. When an auction participant clicks the chat icon 24, then the chat box 22 (also referred herein as a “text box”) appears, as shown in FIG. 2.

[0027] When an auction participant submits a question through the text box 22, the other bidders do not see the questions that are sent to the auctioneer, and the auctioneer may choose to answer the questions, provide information on items based on the questions, or simply ignore the questions if he believes that the question is not relevant, or that the answer to the question would not be of interest to the bidders at large. This system allows the auctioneer to filter through the text messages sent by bidders. The auctioneer may point out items that still have a low bid price currently, in order to draw the attention of bidders to an item that he believes is a good deal, is underpriced, or has simply gone unnoticed. In this way, the auctioneer works multiple items at one time, and conducts the auction as he sees fit, in order to provide timely information, entertainment, and to answer bidder questions in real time as the auction progresses.

[0028] Typically, in order to participate in the auction, bidders will set up an account through the webpage, to include their shipping address to receive items they have won in the auction, their names, other contact information such as a phone number, email address, etc., and a method of payment such as a credit card, debit card, or the like. Optionally, the webpage may identify bidders, either directly by name, or by a moniker chosen by the bidders themselves, so that bidders know whether they are bidding against one other bidder or multiple bidders on a particular item during the auction.

[0029] As with many online auctions, there may be a time limit for submitting bids on items, and after the deadline has expired, no further bids are accepted. At that point, the highest bid for each item wins, and that bidder is charged for the item, which is then shipped to the bidder. In one embodiment, if a bid is received during some set time period at the end of the auction (the last five minutes, for instance), then the system may extend the bidding time on that particular item for another set time period (another five minutes, for example), in order to give bidders additional time to place higher bids on that item. This arrangement prevents a wily bidder from submitting a bid with only a few seconds left in the auction, thereby preventing other bidders from submitting a higher bid. In this situation, each “overtime” bid resets the deadline clock, and the bidding does not end until there have been no higher bids submitted for that particular item for at least the pre-set time extension period (again, if no further bids were received for the last five minutes, for example).

[0030] In the preferred embodiment, the steps of the present invention are embodied in machine-executable instructions. The instructions can be used to cause a general purpose or special-purpose processor that is programmed with the instructions to perform the steps of the present invention. Alternatively, the steps of the present invention might be performed by specific hardware components that contain hardwired logic for performing the steps, or by any combination of programmed computer components and custom hardware components.

[0031] The present invention may be provided as a computer program product which may include a machine-readable medium having stored thereon instructions which may be used to program a computer (or other electronic devices) to perform a process according to the present invention. The machine-readable medium may include, but is not limited to, floppy diskettes, optical disks, CD-ROMs, and magneto-optical disks, ROMs, RAMs, EPROMs, EEPROMs, magnet or optical cards, flash memory, or any other suitable type of media/machine-readable medium suitable for storing electronic instructions. Moreover, the present invention may also be downloaded as a computer program product or application (“app”), wherein the program may be transferred from a remote computer (e.g., a server) to a requesting computer (e.g., a client) by way of data signals embodied in a carrier wave or other propagation medium via a communication link (e.g., a modem or network connection).

[0032] Client-Server Environment

[0033] The architecture of the Internet-based system follows a conventional client-server model. The terms “client” and “server” are used to refer to a computer's general role as a requester of data (the client) or provider of data (the server). Internet clients and servers communicate using a protocol such as HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP). In the Web environment, Web browsers reside on clients and render Web documents (pages) served by the Web servers. The client-server model is used to communicate information between clients and servers. Servers are coupled to the Internet and respond to document requests and/or other queries from clients. When a user selects a document by submitting its Uniform Resource Locator (URL), a Web browser, such as Safari or Google Chrome, opens a connection to a server and initiates a request (e.g., an HTTP get) for the document. The server 110 delivers the requested document, typically in the form of a text document coded in a standard markup language such as HyperText Markup Language (HTML).

Exemplary Online Auctioning Site Interface

[0034] FIGS. 1 and 2 show an exemplary online auction site screen providing online bidders an interface to participate in an online auction with a live-streaming auctioneer. The web page provides a listing of all items available in the auction in which the online user may bid. The online user may click hyperlinks for each item, which then takes the user to various screens that will allow the user to search and view items, watch and listen to the auctioneer providing commentary about the ongoing auction and auction items, and submit real-time bids in the auction.

[0035] According to one embodiment, when an online bidder makes a request to search and view a catalog for items available in the auction, the auction screen is presented with a textual list of items. In this example, each item includes a hypertext link having a picture of the item, a title, a brief description, a high/low estimate and a starting price. Responsive to the selection of the hypertext link, a subsequent screen displays the item and allows the online user to enter a bid for the item.

[0036] According to one embodiment, when an online bidder makes a request to participate in the auction, the user is directed to a real-time event screen 10. The real time event screen 10 is automatically updated to reflect the current lot on sale and may also include the name of the seller and the item. As described herein, a lot refers to one item or a group of items 12 that will be auctioned together as part of a sale. The screen may also include the following: a lot number, a lot picture, current price, current high bidder, bid button for automatic bids, bid box for bids above the current price, amount of absentee bid previously placed by any user, on/off button for live webcasts, a promotional message, link to the corrigenda (announcements), titles of next three supporting lots, and the current time.

[0037] The inset auctioneer box 20 enables online bidders to view and listen to the auctioneer conducting the auction. Depending on the option the online bidder selects an audio or audio/video stream is sent to the online bidder's computer, in the form of the inset auctioneer box 20. The stream is originated at the auction house and generally captures the auctioneer's actions. Implementation details regarding video and audio streaming over the Internet are known to those skilled in the art and are therefore not provided herein.

[0038] The auctioneer box 20 may be a separate window that provides the live feed of the auctioneer making commentary about the auction. In one embodiment, the auctioneer box 20 may be moved around the screen by clicking and dragging it to any desired location on the screen. Additionally, the auctioneer box 20 may be programmed to remain visible even when a bidder or user is clicking on various items on the auction webpage or website, so that the bidder may always have the audio/video feed on the screen, while looking clicking around to look at various items, bid prices, or other information on the auction web site.

[0039] Similarly, in one embodiment, the chat box may also be moved around the screen by clicking and dragging it to any desired location, and further, may be programmed to remain visible while the user is viewing various parts of the auction website.

[0040] Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions are possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein. All features disclosed in this specification may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.