U.S. patent application number 13/958961 was filed with the patent office on 2013-12-05 for methods and systems for facilitating bids on products and services.
This patent application is currently assigned to WK NETWORKS, INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is WK NETWORKS, INC.. Invention is credited to ALAN B. HAMOR.
Application Number | 20130325646 13/958961 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46878125 |
Filed Date | 2013-12-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130325646 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
HAMOR; ALAN B. |
December 5, 2013 |
METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR FACILITATING BIDS ON PRODUCTS AND
SERVICES
Abstract
Methods and systems for bidding on items include a predetermined
price or range associated with an item, the price not disclosed to
bidders. Successful bids conform to a predetermined success rule(s)
determined independently of the amounts of other bids. Successful
bids can be immediately communicated to the successful bidders.
Price adjustments, typically discounts, can be determined and
communicated prior to fulfillment.
Inventors: |
HAMOR; ALAN B.; (PENNINGTON,
NJ) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
WK NETWORKS, INC. |
Pennington |
NJ |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
WK NETWORKS, INC.
Pennington
NJ
|
Family ID: |
46878125 |
Appl. No.: |
13/958961 |
Filed: |
August 5, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13488908 |
Jun 5, 2012 |
8504467 |
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13958961 |
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13215317 |
Aug 23, 2011 |
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13488908 |
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11234359 |
Sep 23, 2005 |
8005744 |
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13215317 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
705/26.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 30/08 20130101;
G06Q 30/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/26.3 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 30/08 20060101
G06Q030/08 |
Claims
1. A bidding system, comprising: at least one network-enabled
computer having a processor, a memory for storing programming and
processing instructions, a system interface for receiving data and
programming from an operator and a network interface for
communicating bi-directionally with user devices over a data
communication network; the memory storing an identification of an
item for sale from a supplier to buyers in a designated geographic
region, the supplier providing a total quantity of the item; the
memory further storing a floor price for the item determined by the
supplier; the network interface for transmitting the identification
of the item for bidding to user devices of a plurality of bidders
within the geographic region over the data communication network,
where the floor price of the item is suppressed from the plurality
of bidders and each of the plurality of bidders is authorized to
submit a predetermined number of bids on the item; the processor
receives, via the network interface, a first bid from a first
bidder for a first quantity of the item less than the total
quantity, the first bid within the predetermined number of bids and
including a first bid price determined by the first bidder; and
when the first bid price is at least equal to the floor price, and
independent of other bids by other bidders, transmitting an
acceptance of the first bid to the first bidder substantially
immediately in response to the first bid; after said acceptance,
the processor receives, from a second bidder in the geographic
region via the network interface, a second bid on a second quantity
of the item less than the total quantity in the auction at a second
bid price, the second bid price at least equal to the floor price
and lower than the first bid price, and; the processor accepts the
second bid from the second bidder; after which the processor
completes the sale of the first quantity of the item with the first
bidder at the second bid price in place of the first bid price,
based on the processor accepting the second bid, wherein bidding
continues when there is a remaining quantity of the item and at
least one bidder remains in the geographic region.
2. The system of claim 1, the acceptance comprising a success code
transmitted to the first bidder, wherein when the success code is
entered into an online merchant site offering the item, the first
bidder is authorized to purchase the quantity of the item from the
merchant site for the second bid price.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein the first bidder is authorized to
share the success code with third-party purchasers, such that
third-party purchasers may purchase the item for the second bid
price.
4. The system of claim 3, wherein the first bidder is authorized to
offer the success code for purchase by third-party purchasers.
5. The system of claim 2, wherein the success code is transmitted
as a printable coupon that may be used by the first bidder to
purchase the quantity of the item at the second bid price from a
physical retail location of a merchant in the geographic
region.
6. The system of claim 2, wherein the success code may be presented
by the first bidder at a physical location of a merchant offering
the item in the geographic region, such that the first bidder may
purchase the quantity of the item at the second bid price.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein a plurality of items are
available from a seller, and the processor selects the item for
bidding from the plurality of items based on at least one of
inventory level of the item and a profit margin of the item.
8. The system of claim 7, wherein the processor selects the item
for bidding based on the inventory level and the profit margin in
the geographic region.
9. The system of claim 1, wherein the supplier is in the geographic
region.
10. A bidding system, comprising: at least one network-enabled
computer having a processor, a memory for storing programming and
processing instructions, a system interface for receiving data and
programming from an operator and a network interface for
communicating bi-directionally with user devices over a data
communication network; the memory storing identifications of a
plurality of items for sale from a supplier, the supplier providing
a total quantity of the item; selecting an item from the plurality
of items for bidding; the memory further storing a floor price for
the item determined by the supplier; the network interface for
transmitting an identification of the item to user devices of a
plurality of bidders over the data communication network, where the
floor price of the item is suppressed from the plurality of bidders
and each of the plurality of bidders is authorized to submit a
predetermined number of bids on the item; the processor receives,
via the network interface, a first bid from a first bidder for a
first quantity of the item less than the total quantity, the first
bid within the predetermined number of bids and including a first
bid price determined by the first bidder; and when the first bid
price is at least equal to the floor price, and independent of
other bids by other bidders, transmits an acceptance of the first
bid to the first bidder substantially immediately in response to
the first bid, after said acceptance, the processor receives, from
a second bidder via the network interface, a second bid on a second
quantity of the item less than the total quantity in the auction at
a second bid price, the second bid price at least equal to the
floor price and lower than the first bid price, wherein the
processor accepts the second bid from the second bidder; and after
which the processor completes the sale of the first quantity of the
item with the first bidder at the second bid price in place of the
first bid price, based on the accepting of the second bid; and
bidding by other bidders continues when there is a quantity of the
item remaining.
11. The system of claim 10, wherein the processor selects the item
for bidding from the plurality of items based on at least one of:
an inventory level of the item and a profit margin of the item.
12. The system of claim 10, wherein the item is available for
bidding only to bidders within a geographic region.
13. The system of claim 12, wherein the item is selected based on
at least one of: an inventory level and a profit margin in the
geographic region.
14. The system of claim 10, wherein the supplier is in the
geographic region.
15. The system of claim 10, wherein the acceptance comprises a
success code.
16. The system of claim 15, wherein the success code may be
presented by the first bidder to at least one of a physical
location of a merchant and an online website offering the item for
sale, such that the first bidder may purchase the quantity of the
item at the second bid price.
17. A bidding system, comprising: at least one network-enabled
computer having a processor, a memory for storing programming and
processing instructions, a system interface for receiving data and
programming from an operator and a network interface for
communicating bi-directionally with user devices over a data
communication network; the memory storing identifications of items
for sale from a supplier in a geographic region to buyers in the
geographic region, the supplier providing a total quantity of the
item; selecting an item from the plurality of items for bidding
based on at least one of: an inventory level of the item and a
profit margin of the item; the memory further storing a floor price
for the item determined by the supplier; the network interface for
transmitting the identification of the item for bidding to user
devices of a plurality of bidders within the geographic region over
the data communication network, where the floor price of the item
is suppressed from the plurality of bidders and each of the
plurality of bidders is authorized to submit a predetermined number
of bids on the item; the processor receives, via the network
interface, a first bid from a first bidder for a first quantity of
the item less than the total quantity, the first bid within the
predetermined number of bids and including a first bid price
determined by the first bidder; and when the first bid price is at
least equal to the floor price, and independent of other bids by
other bidders, transmitting an acceptance of the first bid to the
first bidder substantially immediately in response to the first
bid; after said acceptance, the processor receives, from a second
bidder in the geographic region via the network interface, a second
bid on a second quantity of the item less than the total quantity
in the auction at a second bid price, the second bid price at least
equal to the floor price and lower than the first bid price, and;
the processor accepts the second bid from the second bidder; after
which the processor completes the sale of the first quantity of the
item with the first bidder at the second bid price in place of the
first bid price, based on the processor accepting the second bid,
wherein bidding continues when there is a remaining quantity of the
item and at least one bidder remains in the geographic region.
18. The system of claim 17, wherein the item is selected based on
at least one of: an inventory level of the item and a profit margin
of the item in the geographic region.
19. The system of claim 17, wherein the acceptance comprises a
success code.
20. The system of claim 19, wherein the success code may be
presented by the first bidder to at least one of a physical
location of a merchant and an online website offering the item for
sale, such that the first bidder may purchase the quantity of the
item at the second bid price.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.120
as a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/488,908
entitled "METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR FACILITATING BIDS ON PRODUCTS AND
SERVICES" filed on Jun. 5, 2012 in the name of Alan Hamor, which
issues as U.S. Pat. No. 8,504,467 on Aug. 6, 2013, and which in
turn is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
13/215,137 entitled "METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR FACILITATING BIDS ON
PRODUCTS AND SERVICES" filed on Aug. 22, 2011 in the name of Alan
Hamor, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,219,484 on Jul. 10, 2012,
and which in turn claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.120 as a
continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/234,359
entitled "METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR FACILITATING BIDS ON PRODUCTS AND
SERVICES" filed on Sep. 23, 2005 in the name of Alan Hamor, which
issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,005,744 on Aug. 23, 2011, the entirety of
each of which is incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This disclosure relates generally to commercial transactions
conducted over communications networks, and more particularly to
bidding systems accessible by various user devices over the
same.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0003] In today's world, there are numerous products and services
available for purchase. There are also more choices than ever on
how to purchase the products and services. For example a buyer can
purchase items in a store or on the Internet, conventionally or
through an auction process, using cash or other forms of payment,
etc.
[0004] Sellers use various techniques to motivate buyers to make
purchases. For example, sellers provide discount coupons, mark down
prices during a sale, sponsor various inventory liquidation events
and/or allow customers to bid on items in an auction. Many of these
sales techniques encourage buyers to `hold out` for anticipated low
pricing, causing not only an erosion of profit margins for the
seller, but also an increase in the inventory holding costs to a
seller.
[0005] Sellers have embraced dynamic pricing, for example in the
form of auctions, as a way to increased levels of interest from
customers while maintaining desirable profit margins. Various types
of auctions are known. The most common type of auction is an
English auction where the bidder who places the highest bid over
the reserve price, a price set by the seller, wins the item at the
end of the bidding period. In a variation of the English auction
known as a quick win auction, the auction ends when the bid reaches
a predetermined threshold set by the seller. In a turbo auction,
also a variation of the English auction, a starting price is
specified, no reserve price is allowed and the highest bidder
wins.
[0006] In a Dutch auction, the auctioneer begins with a high asking
price that is lowered in increments. The price lowering continues
until a bidder is willing to pay the asking price or a
predetermined minimum price is reached. If multiple items are being
sold, as successful bidders reserve their quantities to be
purchased, the auctioneer continues lowering the asking price until
all items are sold. In a uniform or second price auction (sometimes
also called a Dutch auction) an item is awarded to the highest
bidder at a price equal to the second highest bid. In a variation
of the uniform price auction for multiple identical items (also
sometimes called a Dutch or multiple auction), bidders specify
their bids and how many of the available items they would like to
purchase. At the end of the bidding-period all winning bidders pay
the lowest winning bid per item. In a variation of the uniform
price auction for multiple identical items, known as a Yankee
auction, at the end of the bidding period all winning bidders pay
their exact winning bid.
[0007] In a fixed price auction, a bidder who first bids the fixed
price wins. In a variation of a fixed price auction, known as an
auto markdown auction, the fixed price drops over time. In a
Chinese auction, typically employed in a charity event with donated
items, each bidder bids the same amount on an item, typically using
a pre-printed ticket, and the winner is selected by lottery. The
charity selects the winning bid from a pool of bids for the item.
In a silent or sealed bid auction, all bids are secret and the
highest bidder wins. In a procurement auction, a buyer puts out a
request for proposal RFQ, providers offer progressively lower
prices and at the end of the auction the lowest bid wins.
[0008] Despite their variety and their common acceptance and usage,
auctions pose many problems for both buyers and sellers. In many
types of auctions, the seller loses control of the final price of
the auctioned item, which is determined by the bidder and auction
process. Many types of auctions are competitive; forcing winning
bidders to successfully compete against other bidders in a
sometimes uncomfortable and expensive process. In many types of
auctions, there is a waiting period between the time a bidder bids
for an item and the time the bidder knows if his bid is successful,
leaving the bidder in uncertainty. These characteristics often make
existing auctions less than desirable for buyers and sellers of
items.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0009] The present disclosure provides methods and systems which
overcome many of the drawbacks and disadvantages of existing
auctions, while providing many of the benefits and motivations of
the auction format.
[0010] In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure,
there are provided methods and systems to process bids, an
exemplary method comprising: Identifying for sale an item having a
floor price; displaying, using the computer, the item for bidding
by at least one bidder; suppressing, during the displaying, the
floor price such that the floor price is not available to the at
least one bidder; limiting the at least one bidder to a
predetermined number of bids on the item; receiving from the at
least one bidder at least one bid on the item, the bid within the
predetermined number of bids, the bid including a bid price;
comparing on the computer the bid price to the floor price; and if
the bid price for the item is at least equal to the floor price,
then substantially immediately notifying the at least one bidder of
the success of the at least one bid.
[0011] In accordance with another embodiment of the present
disclosure, there are provided methods and systems to bid on an
item, an exemplary method comprising: displaying, using the
computer, an item for bidding, the item having a suppressed floor
price not available for viewing; receiving an opportunity to place
up to a predetermined number of bids for the item; submitting at
least one bid on the item, the bid within the predetermined number
of bids, the bid including a bid price; and receiving, if the bid
price for the item is at least equal to the floor price, a
substantially immediate notice of the success of the bid.
[0012] In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present
disclosure, there are provided methods and systems to sell an item,
an exemplary method comprising: identifying for sale an item;
identifying a floor price for the item; authorizing, using the
computer, the item for display for bidding by at least one bidder
with the floor price of the item suppressed by the computer to the
at least one bidder; authorizing the receipt of a predetermined
number of bids on the item by the at least one bidder; and
authorizing, if a bid is received from the at least one bidder
within the predetermined number of bids and including a bid price
at least equal to the floor price, the substantially immediate
transmission of a success indicator to the at least one bidder.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] Further aspects of the present disclosure will be more
readily appreciated upon review of the detailed description of its
various embodiments, described below, when taken in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings, of which:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating a method for bidding on
an item according to the present disclosure;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a bidding system in accordance
with FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS
[0016] Referring now to FIGS. 1-2, wherein similar components of
the present disclosure are referenced in like manner, various
embodiments of methods and systems for facilitating bids on
products and services are disclosed.
[0017] Provided herein are new and improved bidding methods and
systems that guarantee sellers receipt of at least a desired price
while providing buyers with the motivation of naming their own bid
price along with the instant gratification of knowing whether or
not they have tendered an accepted bid. The disclosure is flexible
as to the type of products and services that can be offered for
bid, and can be implemented in a variety of different commerce
scenarios, including, but not limited to: on a website where it
facilitates commerce, on a website where it is the commerce, on
websites offering product searches and listings, in a peer-to-peer
network environment, through online advertisements and in an actual
physical retail environment. Buyers using the present disclosure,
also referred to as users or bidders, receive instant feedback as
to whether their bids have been accepted and what quantities of
goods they have purchased. New and innovative pricing mechanisms
enable sellers to optionally offer and buyers to receive favorable
pricing, often below the actual, accepted bid price.
[0018] It will be appreciated by the reader from a consideration of
the following description of the disclosure that, in contrast to an
auction, the present disclosure is better described as a bidding
system. Generally, with respect to an auction, the function of the
auction is to drive up of the price of the bids for items,
maximizing the amount received by the seller. In contrast, with
respect to the bidding system of the present disclosure, the
function of the system is to encourage buyers to buy items within
price ranges preset and acceptable to sellers. Thus, the bidding
system of the present disclosure functions to encourage buyers to
buy goods in a manner motivational to the buyer while meeting the
pricing requirements of the seller.
[0019] As used herein, the phrases "for example," "such as" and
variants thereof describing illustrative implementations of the
present disclosure are exemplary in nature and not limiting.
[0020] In the description below, the term "item" and variants
thereof as used to describe products and services transacted using
the present disclosure include any tangible or intangible object of
value. For example, items sold or purchased with the present
disclosure can include: a product, a service, a warranty, a
naturally occurring object, an animal, a financial instrument, a
right to purchase an object under defined circumstances, a right to
sell an object under defined circumstances, and others as will now
be apparent to the reader. Depending on the embodiment, the
condition of the item can be any condition, for example new, used
or refurbished. For ease of description the singular form of item
is used below to connote one item or a plurality of items, which
can be bid upon as one unit, as appropriate.
[0021] In the description below the meaning of the term "price
range" and variants thereof as used to describe the price of items
include: one price only, a plurality of prices and ranges of
prices. "Sellers" and variants thereof refer to parties selling
items using the present disclosure, while "buyers," "bidders," and
variants thereof refer to parties placing bids to buy items using
the present disclosure.
[0022] With reference now to FIG. 1, there is shown a method 100
for bidding on an item, according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure. Method 100 will be described in conjunction with the
bidding system 200 illustrated in FIG. 2, which will now be
described.
[0023] The bidding system may include at least one network-enabled
computer having a processor, a memory for storing programming and
processing instructions, a system interface for receiving data and
programming from an operator and a network interface for
communicating bi-directionally with user devices over a data
communication network. With reference now to FIG. 2 there is shown
a bidding system 200 including a bid processor 250 with a bid
processing engine 256. Bid processor 250 is connected through an
appropriate data communication network interface 212 to one or more
bidder systems 202. Bid processor 250 is further seen to include a
processor 254 connected to bid processing engine 256, a database
258, and optionally to a set of facilitating tools 252, the
functions of which are described herein below.
[0024] A seller 220, a fulfillment house 222 and a payment
processor 224 are connected to communicate with bid processor 250.
As described in detail herein, seller 220 comprises a party(s)
placing items for bid in accordance with the present disclosure.
Fulfillment house 222 comprises a conventional service for
providing goods or services to purchasers, while payment processor
224 comprises a conventional credit card, bank, debit card or other
payment account processor.
[0025] Bid processor 250 may comprise any combination of
conventional components, for example an Intel.RTM. microprocessor
operating a conventional operating system with appropriate software
to perform the functions described herein. Bid processing engine
256 may comprise a separate processor from processor 254,
functionality provided by the processor 254 itself, or a
combination of both. Tools 252 may be contained in database 258 and
operated by processor 254 and/or bid processing engine 256. While,
for purposes of description, bid processor 250 has been shown as a
simple, consolidated system, it will be apparent to the reader that
the disclosure is not thus limited. Bid processor 250 can be
located in any appropriate location and can be operated by any
entity. Bid processor 250 may, in a manner well known in the art,
comprise a decentralized system utilizing interconnected components
from a variety of geographically disparate locations. Exemplary
configurations of bid processor 250 are described below.
[0026] While, for purposes of illustration, only a single one each
of bidder system 202, seller 220, fulfillment house 222 and payment
processor 224 are shown, it will be understood that any number of
such parties, the functions of which are described below, may be
included in system 200.
[0027] Each bidder system 202 is shown to include a bidder
interface 210 and a bidder processor 204. In different embodiments,
a bidder system 202 may be personal to an individual bidder, or a
group of inter-related bidders, or may be shared by unrelated
bidders. Examples of a personal bidder system 202 include
inter-alia: a programmable cellular phone, telephone, fax machine,
computer, television, and personal digital assistant, which is
owned by or typically used by a particular individual or a limited
group of individuals. Alternatively, each bidder system 202 may be
shared by unrelated individuals. Examples of a shareable bidder
system 202 includes inter-alia: a programmable cellular phone,
telephone, fax machine, computer, television, and personal digital
assistant, which is set up in a store or in another public location
where it is available for use by multiple, typically unrelated
individuals. Another example of a shareable bidder system 202
includes a visible programmable tag attached to or which promotes
an item available for bids. Examples of such visible, programmable
tags include portable digital devices, liquid crystal display (LCD)
tags, and other devices of similar functionality.
[0028] It will be understood by the reader that, in the various
embodiments of the bidder systems 202 described above, the various
bidder interfaces 210 and processors 204 comprise the user
interfaces and processors contained in the described devices,
respectively. It will further be understood that, while a single
bidder system 202 has been shown and described, any number of
bidder systems may be included in system 200.
[0029] Facilitating tools 252 can vary depending on the embodiment
and can be made up of any combination of software, hardware and/or
firmware that performs the functions as defined and explained
herein. In one embodiment tools 252 include any of the following
inter-alia: tools to help a bidder search for an appropriate item
on which to bid (for example by asking evaluation questions to a
bidder), tools to suggest an appropriate item for a bidder to bid
on, tools to allow bidders to form bidding teams, tools to provide
information to team members and others about an item available for
bidding, tools to allow a bidder to rate an item, a bid initiator,
the bidding process, etc, and tools to provide messages to bidders.
More details on facilitating tools 252 are provided herein below.
Facilitating tools 252 may also provide tools for sellers to use,
the details of which are described herein below.
[0030] Communication interface 212 can provide any single
communication channel or combination of communication channels
appropriate for the various parties to communicate with each other
and with processor 250. Communication interface 212 can thus
comprise, for example: the Internet, a different public network, a
private network, a telephone network, a peer-to-peer software
network, various types of wireless networks, combinations thereof
and any other type of useful data communications network or
combinations thereof as will now be apparent to one of ordinary
skill in the art.
[0031] With reference back to FIG. 1, various processes are now
described for operating bidding system 200 in accordance with the
illustrated embodiment of the present disclosure. Considering now
the process, in stage 102, a bidding opportunity for an item is
presented to a bidder. In accordance with a feature of the
disclosure, the number of units of the item allocated to the
bidding opportunity by the seller can be any quantity, i.e. one or
more units, the exact quantity typically not made known to bidders.
The bidding opportunity that is presented to the bidder is
generated by bid processor 256 and made available to the bidder
through a bidder system 202. In order to generate the bidding
opportunity, one or more sources of data can used, as will be
described in more detail below.
[0032] As determined by the seller to meet the needs of the seller
and to motivate buyers, the bidding opportunity that is presented
to the bidder includes some amount of information about the item,
the seller, the bidding process, etc. For example, the presented
bid opportunity may include one or more of the following,
inter-alia: the identity of the seller, the name of the item, the
quantity of the item available for bidding, whether the item is
grouped with other similar items for the bidding, any limit on how
many bids may be taken by the bidder and how many by the bidding
team, the condition of the item (e.g. new, used, refurbished), the
allowed locale of the bidder (e.g. local, regional, national or
international relative to the location of the item), the suggested
retail price for the item, a buy it now price (i.e. a price in
which the item can be bought or sold without bidding), ratings on
the seller, ratings about the item, any constraints on bidding
amounts (for example minimum or maximum allowable bidding amounts,
a plurality of predetermined amounts one of which must be selected
as the bidding amount, etc), and the associated success rule (i.e.
what relationship the bidding amount bid by a bidder has to have
with a predetermined price range in order to be successful).
However, in accordance with another feature of the disclosure, in
all embodiments, the bidding opportunity is presented without
presenting the predetermined price range for the item, where a bid
will be successful if the relationship between the amount bid and
the predetermined price range conforms to a predetermined
associated success rule.
[0033] It will be understood by the reader that the "buy it now"
price is separate and distinct from a predetermined, successful bid
amount or range. More particularly, the "buy it now" price
represents a fixed amount at which an item may be purchased. It
need have no particular relationship to the bid amount or bid range
at or within which the item may be purchased by bidding. It will
thus be understood that the display of a "buy it now" purchase
price is not inconsistent with the feature of the disclosure that
the successful bid price or range is suppressed and not made
available to buyers.
[0034] As the reader is aware, it is difficult to keep information
secret, and the security surrounding the predetermined price of the
item may vary depending on individual situations. In some cases,
bidders may be able to acquire knowledge of the predetermined price
range, for example from previous bidders, from an over-eager seller
of the item, etc. Therefore, while it is a feature of the
disclosure that the price range is not presented (i.e. disclosed)
to the bidder as part of the bidding process, there is no
limitation on whether the bidder may obtain knowledge of the price
range through means other than presentation through the bidding
process described herein.
[0035] In the described embodiment, the bidding opportunity is
provided in stage 102 to the bidder through a bidder system 202.
For example in one embodiment, bidder interface 210 includes a web
browser and when the operator of the web browser accesses a web
site with bidding engine bidder interface 210, the item and related
bid information is received through network 212 and displayed on
the interface by bidder processor 204. As another example, bidder
interface 210 can comprise an electronic tag attached to the item,
and when there is an opportunity to bid on the item, the bid
processor and interface in the electronic tag signal to indicate
that bidding is allowed on the item, for example through a visual
or audio cue. As another example, bidder interface 210 includes an
email server, receiving e-mail information from bid processing
engine 256 through network 212 for display by bidder processor 204
on bidder interface 210. As yet another example, the bidder can
learn about the bidding opportunity through an advertisement, for
example on television, on radio, on a billboard, on the World Wide
Web or in a mailing, via telephone, via instant messaging, emailing
or other form of communication.
[0036] In some embodiments facilitating tools 252 may have been
used prior to or subsequent to the bidder being presented with the
opportunity to bid in stage 102. For example, the bidder may use
facilitating tools 252 to search for suitable items up for bidding.
The bidder may use facilitating tools 252 to find out more
information on the item in order to decide whether and how much to
bid. The bid processor 250 may use facilitating tools 252 to tailor
the bid opportunity to the bidder. As another example, the bidder
may have received a message through facilitating tools 252 from
another bidder about the bidding. The bidder may use facilitating
tools 252 to generate or access bidding information about bids
placed by other members of a bidding team to which the bidder
belongs or to provide members with bidding strategies or actual
bids to be made. Many different types of facilitating tools will
now be apparent which facilitate the initiation of the bidding
process by a bidder.
[0037] In stage 104, a bid on the item is received and evaluated.
The bid includes inter-alia the bidding amount as bid by the
potential buyer and optionally the desired quantity of items. As
noted above, there may be variation or constraint in the number of
units of an item on which a bidder can bid out of the total
quantity of that item available for bidding. For example in one
embodiment, a bidder can only bid on a limited number of units of
an item whereas in another embodiment a bidder can bid on as many
units of the item as the bidder desires up to the total quantity
available for bidding. In one embodiment, the quantity of units of
an item available for bidding must derive from one bidder, whereas
in another embodiment the quantity of available units of an item
can derive from one or more bidders (for example belonging to a bid
initiator group).
[0038] In the described embodiment bidders submit bids through
bidder system 202. The bid is received by bidder processor 204 and
transmitted to bid processing engine 256 through communications
link 212. Depending on the rules for the particular item up for
bid, a bidder can bid any amount desired, choose from a selection
of possible bidding amounts, or otherwise determine how much to bid
in accordance with the rules for the particular item.
[0039] Once the bid is received, the bid is analyzed by bid
processing engine 256. In one embodiment, there is a predetermined
price range and a success rule associated with the item. For
example, there may be a specified floor price per item and if the
bidding amount per item is above the floor price per item, the bid
is successful. As another example, there may be a specified floor
span or range for an acceptable bid per item, and if the bidding
amount per item is within the bounds of the range, the bid is
successful. As another example, there may be a specified ceiling
price per item and if the bidding amount per item is below the
ceiling price per item, the bid is successful. Numerous pricing
schemes and rules for successful bidding will now be apparent to
the reader.
[0040] As noted above, in the described embodiment, bidders are
limited to a single bid on an item (or group of items) so as to
prevent `trolling` to determine the lowest acceptable price. The
bidder and/or bidder system 202 can be identified through any
suitable method including inter-alia: cookies, email addresses, IP
addresses, name, phone number, mailing address, credit card number,
etc. It should be evident that the more unique the identifier used
to check the identity of the bidder, the more likely to prevent
bids by the same bidder over the allowed number of times. For
example if identity is established through email addresses, a
bidder who has more than one email address could potentially bid
the allowed number of times more than once, using different email
addresses.
[0041] In another embodiment, the bidder could theoretically bid as
many times as desired, presumably within rules established for such
bidding. For example, the bidder may have the right to bid two
times and, if still unsuccessful, obtain supporting bids from
bidding team members, who may have the right to bid one or more
times on that item until either a successful bid has been made or
all bidding rights have been exhausted. In yet another embodiment,
team bidding may not be allowed and so the bidder may have the
right to bid three times on an item and if unsuccessful, may have
to bid the "Buy It Now" price in order to purchase that item. In
any embodiment, either the bidder or the seller may decide what are
the bidding rules for a specific item.
[0042] It is a feature and advantage of the disclosure that the
success of a bid for an item is independent of the bidding amounts
of other bidders for that item. That is, the success rules for a
bid on an item are predetermined by the seller and do not change
based upon the bids of others. Therefore whether a bid is
successful can be determined once a bid has been made and
independently of other bids. Continuing with reference still to
stage 104 of FIG. 1, each incoming bid is received by bid processor
250 and evaluated by bid processing engine 256 to determine if the
bid is successful. As shown in stage 106, a bidder is informed as
to the success or failure of a bid, typically by a success
indicator transmitted to a successful bidder from bid processor
250.
[0043] In some instances, a bidder may be required to purchase the
item once the bid has been accepted. In another instance, the
bidder receives the option to purchase the item once the bid has
been accepted and the bidder can decline or ignore the option. In
yet another instance, the bidder may have the right to transfer or
even sell the right to purchase the successfully bid item to a
third party. For ease of explanation it is assumed below that the
bidder is required to purchase the item once the bid has been
accepted.
[0044] The success indicator can include any indication that the
bidder has submitted a successful bid and has the right to complete
a transaction to procure possession of the item. For example, the
success indicator can include a success code, i.e. e-commerce
promotion code, which can be used by the bidder to purchase the
item. As another example the success indicator can include a
voucher or coupon, which can be used by the bidder to purchase the
item, for example in a store or on the Internet. As another
example, the success indicator can include a contract stating that
the bid initiator agrees to sell the item to the bidder. As another
example, if the bidder had previously provided account information,
the success indicator can include a notice of payment charged to
the account (credit received). As yet another example, the success
indicator can include shipping/tracking information for receiving
(sending) the item or a receipt for picking-up (having picked up)
the item which was purchased (sold). In yet another example, the
success indicator may include future purchase or sale rights for
the specified item or other items in a peer-to-peer
environment.
[0045] The success indicator may have intrinsic value and be
transferable to others by the bidder. In another embodiment the
success indicator is non-transferable.
[0046] In one embodiment, the success indicator indicates an extra
reward if the bidding amount meets a predetermined price or price
range. For example, if the predetermined price range is a floor
price or ceiling price there could be an extra reward for a bid
equal to the floor price or ceiling price. The extra reward can be
one or more items related to or unrelated to the item bid upon. For
example the reward can be a product related to the bid upon item,
service for the bid upon item, a warranty for the bid upon item,
and/or a gift unrelated to the bid upon item.
[0047] Continuing with reference to FIG. 1, at stage 107, if a bid
is successful, bid processing engine 256 updates the number of
remaining units of an item by subtracting the number of units of an
item purchased by a successful bidder from the number of units of
the item which were previously available. Optionally, the bid
processor 250 (or operator of the bid processor) and seller may
communicate to alter the terms with respect to any remaining
items.
[0048] As shown in stage 108, the price paid by the bidder may
differ from the successful bid price and must be determined. In one
embodiment, the bidder pays the amount successfully bid for the
item. In another embodiment, if a quantity greater than one unit of
an item is available for bidding and the predetermined price is a
range, each successful bidder pays the amount they have bid. In
another embodiment, if a quantity greater than one unit of an item
is available for bidding and the predetermined price is a range,
each successful bidder pays the lowest successful bidding amount
out of a plurality of successful bids placed for the item. In other
words, in this latter embodiment, the price the bidder pays or
receives is the bidding amount of the successful bid which is
closest to the predetermined price floor. In this latter
embodiment, the bidder may receive a success indicator which does
not state the final price or the bidder may receive a success
indicator with a temporary price and then when the final price is
determined the bidder receives a credit or charge for the
difference.
[0049] In some embodiments, bidders can use facilitating tools 252
to register and take advantage of bidding groups. For example, each
bidding group member may have a home page with activity reports,
messaging capability and other functions relating to creating and
coordinating bidding teams. In this embodiment, members can
communicate with each other regarding the bids, and bid processing
engine 256 may transmit messages to members relating to the bidding
activity of members of the group. In another group embodiment, any
communication device or methodology including inter-alia email,
instant message, system messaging, and cell phone text messaging
can be used by bid processing engine 256 to communicate with team
members, or by team members to communicate with each other. For
example, if one member of a bidding group is successful, other
members may decide to bid on an item using the same bidding amount
used by the successful member or the other members may try to adapt
the price in order to get closer to a lower price still within the
success price range. As another example, if one member of a bidding
group is unsuccessful, other members may know not to use the same
bidding amount when bidding on the item.
[0050] In some embodiments, there may be more than one (not
necessarily identical) item grouped together for bidding purposes.
The group of items may derive from one or more sellers. There may
be multiple price ranges associated with the group of items.
Depending on the amount bid by a bidder, the bid may be successful
for one or more of the items in the group, based on the associated
rules for the predetermined price range for the items. For example,
assume there are 5 HONDA CIVICS which three car dealers are making
available for bidding. Assume a black CIVIC from dealer 1 has the
highest associated price range (in this case a floor of $14,000),
two white CIVICS from dealer 1 and dealer 2 have the next highest
price range (in this case a floor of $12,000), and two red CIVICS
from dealers 2 and 3 have the lowest price range (in this case a
floor of $11,000). Assume a bidding amount placed by a bidder of
$12,500. In this case a white CIVIC or a red CIVIC can be bought by
the bidder but not the black CIVIC. Depending on the rules for that
bidding instance, the bidder may choose which of the qualifying
items the bidder desires at any appropriate stage of the bidding
process. Assume for simplicity of explanation that the bidder
specifies a desired quantity of one unit in the bid. In one
embodiment, the bidder can arrange the preferred order of grouped
items (e.g. black, white, red) and submit the order with the bid in
stage 104, and the success code returned in stage 106 would include
the most preferred item for which the bid was successful (in this
example white). As another example the bidder can be informed in
stage 106 for which of the grouped items the bid was successful
(white, red), and the bidder can choose one of the grouped items
for which the bid was successful. As another example, the bidder in
stage 110 (described below) can select one of the items for which
the bid was successful as part of the transaction fulfillment
stage. In embodiments where items are grouped together for bidding
purposes, bid processing engine 256 may update the total number of
units of all grouped items remaining after a successful bid.
[0051] Stage 110 of method 100 illustrates the execution of a
transaction whereby a winning bidder(s) receives the goods or
services successfully bid for. This stage 110 may be executed in
one or more of many different embodiments as are described in
detail below.
[0052] As mentioned above, bid processor 250 can be located in any
appropriate location and operated by any appropriate operator.
[0053] The present disclosure may be operated in many different
configurations as between the various parties. For example, in one
embodiment, the bid processor 250 is operated by a centralized
manager separate from sellers, typically an application service
provider (ASP). In a second embodiment, the bid processor is
operated by a seller, for example an online or store-front retailer
or service provider. In yet another embodiment, the bid processor
is operated by a centralized manager of a peer-to-peer networking
environment or, in another variation, by the peers themselves. The
reader will understand that, as used herein, peer-to-peer means in
the conventional sense the sharing of files and information between
users as enabled by an appropriate file sharing program such as
NAPSTER or GNUTELLA.
[0054] In this peer-to-peer configuration, the disclosure may be
used by one or more peers (manufacturers, resellers, retailers,
individuals or other entities) to buy and sell goods and services
from one another. Thus, an individual bidder (1) might purchase an
item from Sears, for example, and then sell it to a local hardware
store, which, in turn, sells it to another individual bidder (2).
The disclosure allows for the bidding and actual purchase to take
place in the peer-to-peer network, while delivery of the goods
might be made by Sears, in this example, directly to the individual
bidder (2).
[0055] Facilitating tools 252 may include other tools which
variously assist in the interaction between sellers, buyers and bid
processor 250.
[0056] For example such facilitating tools may include one or more
of the following functions inter-alia: tools to enable a seller to
input data on an item up for bidding, tools to enable a seller to
input data relating to the bidding process, tools to enable buyers
to form buying groups or teams, tools to enable sellers and/or
buyers to group items for bidding, tools to enable sellers to rate
the bidders, tools to enable buyers to rate items and/or bidding
processes, tools for facilitating message exchanges between buyers
and sellers, tools to enable both buyers and sellers to analyze
past bid processes, and a royalty calculation tool.
[0057] Other useful facilitating tools supported by 252 may enable
bidders to register and take advantage of the buyer groups
described above. For example, each buying group member may have a
home page with activity reports, messaging capability and other
functions relating to creating and coordinating one or more buying
groups. In this embodiment, buyers can communicate with each other
regarding the bids, and bid processing engine 256 may communicate
messages amongst buyers relating to activity involving members of
one or more buyer groups. It will be appreciated that any
communication device or methodology including inter-alia telephone,
email, instant message, system messaging, and cell phone text
messaging can be used by bid processing engine 256 to communicate
with buyer and/or seller group members, or enable group members to
communicate with each other.
[0058] Examples of tools facilitating analysis of past bid
processes include, inter-alia, tools for: viewing past bids for a
comparable item to determine if the price range for future similar
items should be adjusted, viewing location information of past
bidders to determine if item listing or advertising information
should be adjusted accordingly, and viewing profiles of past
bidders to determine if items became available in their target
market.
[0059] The data used to formulate a bid opportunity which is
presented in stage 102 to a bidder, can originate from the seller,
from the operator of bid processor 250, or if the two are different
parties as a result of a consensus between both.
[0060] Facilitating tools may be used to automatically process,
limit or alter seller's introduction of item information into bid
processor 250, for example: limiting item listings from sellers
with past bad histories or negative ratings, limiting item listings
based upon known or anticipated buyer demographics, and others as
will be apparent to the reader.
[0061] In other embodiments, facilitating tools 252 may include
search capabilities that enable bidders to search for items. Other
tools may enable automatic generation of bid opportunities for
suitable items, for example pursuant to an ongoing agreement
between the operator of system 200 and a buyer.
[0062] In one embodiment the price range for the items which can be
bid on is input by the seller. In another embodiment, the operator
of bid processor 250, if different than the seller, may select a
price range or may reach a consensus with the seller on an
appropriate price range.
[0063] In one embodiment, the bid initiator can input the quantity
of units of each item which is available for bidding and/or any
staggering schedule for how the quantity of items will be made
available for bidding. For example, a staggering schedule could
allow for a fixed number of units to be up for bidding each month
out of the total quantity available. In another embodiment the
seller indicates the total quantity of units of the items which the
seller wishes to sell, and in some cases the operator of bid
processor 250 may determine the number of units to be put up for
bidding out of the total quantity which the seller wishes to sell
or buy, and/or any staggering schedule. In yet another embodiment,
the operator of bid processor 250 may with the seller reach a
consensus on the number of units up for bidding and any staggering
schedule.
[0064] In one embodiment, the seller can also indicate if any (not
necessarily identical) items should be combined in a bid
opportunity with other item(s) from the same seller or from one or
more different sellers. In yet another embodiment, the operator of
bid processor 250 may decide or may reach a consensus with one or
more sellers on whether to combine items in a bid opportunity.
[0065] With reference again back to FIG. 1, it is of course
necessary to complete the transaction with successful bidders as
indicated at stage 110. Such completion involves the delivery of
the successfully bid for products and/or services to the buyer.
Transaction fulfillment may be accomplished by bid processor 250 as
operated by an operator, for example an ASP. Transaction
fulfillment may be accomplished by bid processor 250 as operated by
a seller. In yet another embodiment, transaction fulfillment may be
accomplished by one or more third party fulfillment houses 222 who
may be connected to bid processor 250 through network interface 212
so as to receive any necessary fulfillment information.
[0066] Transaction fulfillment can include any of the following
actions inter-alia: determining a bidder account to charge or
credit, determining necessary financing, determining the location
of the bidder for example for shipment or pick up, and determining
a preferred shipment or pickup method of the bidder. Payment
collection may be performed in different embodiments by: the
operator of bid processor 250, the seller, a designated third-party
payment processor 224, or others as will now be apparent to the
reader.
[0067] In stage 112, if the quantity of units of the item up for
auction has not been depleted by successful bidders, or the
quantity of (not necessarily identical) items grouped together for
bidding purposes has not yet been depleted the auction continues
for other bidders. In some embodiments, the auction can be ended
prior to the depletion of the quantity. Depending on the
embodiment, the auction can be interrupted, for example, by the
seller, the operator of bid processor 250, and/or by a third party
operating transaction fulfillment system 222.
[0068] There has thus been provided new and improved bidding
processes and systems, which includes many of the benefits of both
an auction and a traditional retail environment. Like an auction,
the disclosure motivates buyers to purchase items by allowing them
to determine and place bids on items, providing them the excitement
and satisfaction of a bidding process. Like a more traditional
retail sale, the disclosure provides instant gratification,
informing the buyer immediately as to whether a bid is successful.
Further, the retailer will be able to utilize existing systems of
logistics, customer service and extended warranty, for example, to
deliver the best possible value to the customer. The present
disclosure enables sellers to control the minimum price of an item,
insuring they obtain their desired price, without placing buyers in
the uncomfortable and less-than-desirable position of having to bid
against other buyers. The disclosure provides many different tools
and features for facilitating the bidding process, including
multiple item sales and buyer group support. This disclosure
further enables new and innovative pricing mechanisms, enabling a
buyer to know instantly if they have tendered a successful bid,
while still providing a lower price at a later time. This
disclosure has application in the field of commerce and
particularly in the field of sales.
[0069] Various additional improvements to the bidding system 200
described herein above will now be introduced. In various
embodiments, the bidding system 200 may act as a "price
determinator" for items bid upon by a plurality of third-party
purchasers interacting with the bidding system 200. In such price
determining embodiments, upon identification of a successful bid or
upon conclusion of an auction for an item, the bidding system 200
may issue "success codes" to successful bidders, other bidders or
any other third parties. The success code may entitle the presenter
thereof to purchase a quantity of the item at the accepted bid
price for the item determined from an auction or other bid
process.
[0070] The success code, in certain embodiments, may be a string of
alphabetic, numeric, or alphanumeric characters which may be used
by third parties to initiate a purchase of the item from the
bidding system 200 or other suppliers or merchants, including other
online merchants or merchants having a physical retail location,
from whom the item may be purchased. The string of characters may
be stored in a memory of the bidding system 200 to later to
validate the code during a purchase of the item. The code may
include encoded information that identifies at least one of: an
auction, an identity of the bidder, a bid price and/or a quantity
of the item. Such encoding may be encoded and decoded according to
any of a wide variety of well-known encryption and decryption
protocols.
[0071] When a bidder or other recipient of a success code presents
the success code to an aforementioned online merchant, either
online or at a "bricks and mortar" location, the success code may
be used to change the purchase price of the item from the price
offered by the merchant to the successful bid price obtained during
an auction of the item performed by the bidding system 200. As
stated previously above, the accepted bid price may be a floor
price for the item as described earlier above. In additional
instances, the accepted bid price may be the lowest accepted bid
price received by the bidding system 200 from any of a plurality of
bidders during the auction. In yet other instances, the accepted
bid price may be any of a range of prices determined in advance by
the seller as part of an auction performed by the bidding system
200.
[0072] In certain embodiments, the success code may be provided on
its own or as a printable coupon code. The success code may be
printed by a recipient and presented at a physical retail location
of a merchant in order to initiate a purchase of a quantity of the
item at the bid price indicated thereon. The success code may also
be transmitted to a portable device of a user, such as a cellphone,
laptop computer, notebook, notepad or tablet computer or other
portable data device of like function, whereby the success code may
be presented to the merchant at a separate physical location.
[0073] In various embodiments, it is readily contemplated that a
group of bidders may act as a team of purchasers, and register as
such with the bidding system 200. The team may communicate readily
with each other and may receive a success code when any member of
the team receives an acceptance of a bid for an item. An individual
bidder can select a number of friends, associates or even strangers
to form a group to bid on a given item. A communication system such
as text messaging, email, web-based communications system, or
instant messaging allows the group to strategize start and end bid
points, bid increments, etc. Alternately, the group may communicate
in person, via phone or other communication system. The bidding
system 200 may provide for an initial bidder to act as a team
leader and register additional team members for one or multiple
bidding sessions, including being temporarily or permanently part
of a team. The bidding system 200 may also allow for the creation
of a "sub-teams," where selected members are grouped in smaller
teams to bid on one or more items, or categories/classes of items
or for one or more sessions. An embodiment of the system may allow
sellers to opt-in for group bidding on one or more of their listed
items.
[0074] The bidding system 200 may maintain additional rules for the
formation of teams, including, for example, limiting the number of
team members and limiting the number of bids that each team member
may make for an item. Rules determine how many bids by each group
member or for what period of time a group may bid or for what items
(classes or categories) a group may bid. The bidding system 200 may
accept bids transmitted by team members where a team leader makes
the first bid and each team member bids in a predetermined
sequence. In additional embodiments, the team leader makes the
first bid and any team member can bid at any time. In further
embodiments, any member of the team may begin the bidding. In still
further embodiments, any team member may submit a bid when a period
of time elapses and no bids have yet been submitted by the team.
Additional team rules are readily contemplated.
[0075] In various additional embodiments of price determination,
recipients of success codes may be authorized to share the code
with a number of other third-party purchasers. Recipients may also
be authorized to sell or otherwise offer the success code for
purchase by one or more third-party purchasers. Additional uses of
success codes and price determination are readily contemplated.
[0076] In another conceived improvement to the bidding system 200,
there may be added a user interaction system capability whereby a
bidder can transmit various messages to the seller in the event
that the bidder was not successful during an auction for the item.
For example, the bidder may indicate that she would be willing to
(a) purchase one or more of the specific items listed at a certain
price (or a price range) by a certain date in the future; (b) add
one or more items to a wish list; and (c) add one or more items to
a gift registry.
[0077] In another conceived improvement to the bidding system 200,
a system of rating tools may be provided so that suppliers may rate
successful bidders and/or bidders may likewise rate suppliers. A
rating tool where sellers are rated by bidders/buyers may yield a
calculated seller rating which, in turn, could accordingly affect
the transaction costs paid by the seller to the operator of the
bidding system 200. For example, a determined rating that exceeds
an established threshold may reduce the transaction/selling costs
charged to the seller/supplier for listing items on the bidding
system 200. Conversely, a rating lower than the threshold could
increase the costs that the seller/supplier must pay to register
items for sale with the bidding system 200. Another rating tool,
whereby sellers rate buyers based on closing transactions (for
example, executing fulfillment of items bid upon) after a
successful bid has been accepted. A sufficiently high buyer rating
may result in preferential treatment in the form of discounts,
private merchandise sales, free shipping or other special
promotions and savings.
[0078] In another conceived improvement to the bidding system 200,
auctions may be targeted to specific geographic regions or to
specific segments of a population based on targeted
demographics.
[0079] In another conceived improvement to the bidding system 200,
the bidding system 200 may include a peer-to-peer bidding system,
where a peer can be an individual, a corporation, any business
entity, a municipality, a trust, a group of individuals or a
corporate supply chain and the peers bid on items and fulfill sales
for which there have been successful bids within the formed
group.
[0080] In another conceived improvement to the bidding system 200,
the listing of items on the bidding system 200 by the one or more
sellers may be used to generate advertisements. Such advertisements
may, in turn, be displayed via networks, web sites, and other
locations of all kinds, such as: search engines, television
advertising, cell phones, email, display ads, contextual ads, LCD
or light-emitting diode (LED) displays, in-store networks, direct
mail and other printed ads, and the like. Accordingly, individuals
at widely diverse locations can readily see advertisements of one
or more items identified for online bidding via the bidding system
200.
[0081] In another conceived improvement to the bidding system 200,
a `tagging system` may be provided both for online stores and at
physical merchant locations, such as retail stores, so that
shoppers can easily notice items that may be bid upon by accessing
the bidding system 200 online. Such, tags may be highly visible and
include attraction features, such as those that periodically flash,
strobe or give off an auditory cue.
[0082] Although the best methodologies have been particularly
described in the foregoing disclosure, it is to be understood that
such descriptions have been provided for purposes of illustration
only, and that other variations both in form and in detail can be
made thereupon by those skilled in the art without departing from
the spirit and scope thereof, which is defined first and foremost
by the appended claims.
* * * * *