Method, apparatus and system for advancing a bidder to a selected rank

US7870054B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• ARIBA, INC. · US

Inventors

• Daniel Abeshouse · Wilkinsburg, US
• Scott W. Atkinson · Pittsburgh, US
• David J. Becker · Dorpsstraat, US
• Sheila C. Halter · Pittsburgh, US
• Kimberly A. Harrigal · Pittsburgh, US
• Vincent F. Rago · Pittsburgh, US
• William D. Rupp · Mount Lebanon, US
• David M. Scoular · Pittsburgh, US
• Robert G. Stevens · Tokyo, JP
• Douglas R. Wagner · Monroe, US
• Robert B. Lang, Jr. · Glenshaw, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 28, 2001
• Grant date: Jan 11, 2011
• Expiry date: Nov 9, 2029

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06Q50/188
• WIPO field: IT methods for management
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

The present invention provides a method for advancing a first bidder to a selected rank in an electronic auction. This method includes calculating, in response to actuation of a bid rank advancement function, a new bid for the first bidder, and displaying the new bid to the first bidder. The new bid is calculated by applying a predetermined minimum differential value to a current bid of a second bidder that holds the rank selected by the first bidder. In one embodiment, the rank selected by the first bidder is a rank other than first. The present invention also provides a system and apparatus for advancing a first bidder to a selected rank in an electronic auction.