METHOD OF BIDDING AT LIVE AUCTION VIA THE INTERNET

METHODE DE FAIRE UNE OFFRE A UNE VENTE AUX ENCHERES EN DIRECT SUR INTERNET

English Abstract

A method of bidding at live auctions via the Internet,
includes a step of positioning at a live auction a
representative having a computer connected to the Internet.
A further step involves connecting interested Internet bidders
via the Internet with the computer of the representative. Each
Internet bidder has a unique bidder identifier. A further step
involves communicating to the internet bidders via the internet
a current bid and, where a current bid holder is one of the
internet bidders, the unique bidder identifier of the current
bid holder. A final step involves receiving multiple bids from
internet bidders via the internet. The computer of the
representative is programmed to identify which one of the
multiple bids is to be communicated by the representative to
an auctioneer during the live auction.

Claims

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY
OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A method of bidding at live auctions via the internet,
comprising the steps of:
positioning at a live auction a representative having a
computer connected to the internet;
connecting interested internet bidders via the internet
with the computer of the representative, each internet bidder
having a unique bidder identifier;
communicating to the internet bidders via the internet a
current bid and, where a current bid holder is one of the
internet bidders, the unique bidder identifier of the current
bid holder;
receiving multiple bids from internet bidders via the
internet, the computer of the representative being programmed
to identify which one of the multiple bids is to be
communicated by the representative to an auctioneer during the
live auction.
2. The method as defined in Claim 1, the computer of the
representative ranking the multiple bids based upon the order
in which each of the multiple bids was received.
3. The method as defined in Claim 1, including the further
step of communicating to the internet bidders a bid increment.
4. The method as defined in Claim 3, having a single key
stroke bid entry.

5. A method of bidding at live auctions via the internet,
comprising the steps of:
positioning at a live auction a representative having a
computer connected to the internet;
connecting interested internet bidders via the internet
with the computer of the representative, each internet bidder
having a unique bidder identifier;
communicating to the internet bidders via the internet a
current bid, a bid increment and, where a current bid holder
is one of the internet bidders, the unique bidder identifier
of the current bid holder;
accepting a bid from one of the internet bidders through
a single key stroke bid entry in which the one internet bidder
turns the bid increment into a bid with a single key stroke
entry;
receiving multiple bids from internet bidders via the
internet, the computer of the representative being programmed
to identify which one of the multiple bids is to be
communicated by the representative to an auctioneer during the
live auction by ranking the multiple bids based upon the order
in which each of the multiple bids was received.

Description

CA 02326346 2000-11-20
1
TITLE OF THE INVENTION:
Method Of Bidding At Live Auctions Via The Internet
FIELD'OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method for a person at
a remote location to place a bid at a live auction via the
Internet.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Auction houses that deal with high priced items make
special provisions for the participation via telephone of
persons unable to attend their live auction. For example, this
service is described at the web site of Christie' s (trade mark)
as follows:
"If you want to feel as though you were in the room
when you bid, even if you are miles away, try
telephone bidding. To arrange phone bidding, simply
contact Christie's at least one day before the sale.
Christie's will call you during the auction when the
property you are interested in comes up. You'll be
involved in the auction action as your Christie's
representative relays your bids."
An even wider group of potential bidders could be reached
if provision could be made for participation via the Internet.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
What is required is a method of bidding at live auctions
via the Internet.
According to the present invention there is provided a
method of bidding at live auctions via the Internet, which
includes a step of positioning at a live auction a
representative having a computer connected to the Internet.
A further step involves connecting interested Internet bidders
via the Internet with the computer of the representative. Each

CA 02326346 2000-11-20
2
Internet bidder has a unique bidder ident i t a er . A further step
involves communicating to the Internet bidders via the Internet
a current bid and, where a current bid holder is one of the
Internet bidders, the unique bidder identifier of the current
bid holder. A final step involves receiving multiple bids from
Internet bidders via the Internet. The computer of the
representative is programmed to identify which one of the
multiple bids is to be communicated by the representative to
an auctioneer during the live auction.
15
With the method, as described above, a single
representative positioned at the auction can represent an
unlimited number of Internet bidders positioned at remote
locations and connected via the Internet.
There are various ways in which the computer could be
programmed to identify which one of the multiple bids to be
communicated by the representative to the auctioneer. The
preferred way is for the computer of the representative to rank
the multiple bids based upon the order in which each of the
multiple bids is received.
Although beneficial results may be obtained through the
use of the method, as described above, in order to avoid
confusion it is preferred that there be communicated to the
Internet bidders both the current bid and a bid increment.
Displaying the bid increment makes it clear to the Internet
bidder the next incremental level to which the bid is headed.
Although beneficial results may be obtained through the
use of the method, as described above, at an auction events
flow quickly. Even more beneficial results may, therefore, be
obtained when provision is made for a single key stroke bid
entry. This "one click" style of entry permits an Internet
bidder to keep pace with the fast pace of a live auction and
eliminates entry errors.

CA 02326346 2000-11-20
3
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other features of the invention will become more
apparent from the following description in which reference is
made to the appended drawings, the drawings are for the purpose
of illustration only and are not intended to in any way limit
the scope of the invention to the particular embodiment or
embodiments shown, wherein:
FIGURE 1 is a schematic diagram of a method of bidding at
live auctions via the Internet in accordance with the teachings
of the present invention.
FIGURE 2 is a front elevation view of a computer display
of an Internet bidder.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The preferred method of bidding at live auctions via the
Internet will now be described with reference to FIGURES 1 and
2.
Structure and Relationship of Parts:
Referring to FIGURE 1, there is illustrated a live
auction generally referenced by numeral 10 that includes an
auctioneer 12, and an item 14 to be auctioned off. A first
step involves positioning a representative 16 who has a
computer 18 connected to the Internet 20 at live auction 10
prior to commencement of live auction 10. A further step
involves connecting computers 22 of interested Internet bidders
24 from a remote location to computer 18 of representative 16
via Internet 20. An unlimited number of interested Internet
bidders 24 can be connected from a remote locale via Internet
20 to computer 18 of single representative 16 in attendance at
live auction 10. Each Internet bidder 24 who participates in
live auction 10 is assigned a unique bidder identifier, as will
be further described in relation to FIGURE 2.

4
Referring to FIGURE 2, upon commencement of auction 10,
a further step involves representative 16 communicating to
Internet bidders 24 via Internet 20 information respecting live
auction 10. Information communicated includes current bid 28,
a bid increment 30 and, where a current bid holder is one of
the Internet bidders 24, a unique bidder identifier 26 of the
current bid holder. In the illustration, current bid 28 is
shown as $4000, bidder identifier 26 shows 2367 and bid
increment is shown as $50. Other information such as a picture
32 of item 14 being auctioned or any other desired information
can also be displayed. Displaying bid increment 30 makes it
clear to Internet bidder 24 the next incremental level to which
the bid is headed. In this way, Internet bidder 24 is always
kept informed as to the item being auctioned and the current
bid. The use of the bidder identifier 26 enables the Internet
bidder to know whether he or she has the current bid. This
avoids confusion in which the Internet bidder attempts to raise
his or her current bid or fails to bid in the mistaken belief
that he or she holds the current bid.
A further step involves accepting a bid from one of the
Internet bidders 24 through a single key stroke bid entry 34
in which one Internet bidder 24 turns bid increment 30 into a
bid with a single key stroke entry 34. In the illustrated
embodiment single key stroke entry 34 is a box to be clicked
on once, however it will be appreciated that other forms of
single key stroke entry 34 will also function. The single key
stroke bid entry 34 permits Internet bidder 24 to keep pace
with the fast pace of live auction 10 and eliminates entry
errors.
Referring to FIGURE l, a final step involves receiving
multiple bids from Internet bidders 24 via Internet 20.
Computer 18 of representative 16 is programmed to identify
which one of the multiple bids is to be communicated by
representative 16 to auctioneer 12 during live auction 10.
This is done by ranking the multiple bids based upon the order
CA 02326346 2001-O1-29

5
in which each of the multiple bids was received by computer 18.
This eliminates having representative 16 trying to determine
the earliest Internet bidder 24 which could result in an error.
Computer 18 is able to accurately determine which Internet
bidder 24 is first based on which bid is received first by
computer 18 and then communicate the bid to representative 16.
Representative 16 is then in a position to communicate the bid
to auctioneer 12. Live auction 10 proceeds in this manner
until a final successful bid has been accepted and live auction
10 is closed.
The method as described above is an improvement over
bidding by telephone from a remote locale. Auction houses such
as Christies accommodate bidders who can not be present by
providing a service whereby a bidder can submit bid through a
representative over a telephone line. The disadvantage is that
only one bidder can be serviced over the telephone at a time.
An additional representative must be made available for each
additional bidder who wishes to bid by telephone. With the
method described above an unlimited number of Internet bidders
24 can participate at the same time with only one
representative 16 in attendance at live auction 10.
In this patent document, the word "comprising" is used in
its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word
are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not
excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article
"a" does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the
element is present, unless the context clearly requires that
there be one and only one of the elements.
It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that
modifications may be made to the illustrated embodiment without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as
hereinafter defined in the Claims.
CA 02326346 2001-O1-29

Representative Drawing