Ariba, Inc.

Freemarkets, Inc.

Other

Cla-Val Co.

Freemarkets Online Inc.

David J Becker

William D Rupp

Vincent F Rago

Robert G Stevens

Sam E Kinney, Jr

Anthony F Bernard

Daniel C Heckmann

Glen T Meakem

Marc Alaia

Jason Reneau

Frederick W Roberts

Scott W Atkinson

Daniel Abeshouse

Douglas R Wagner

Robert B Lang, Jr

Kimberly A Harrigal

Julia L Rickert

David M Scoular

Sheila C Halter

Robert Folk

John P Levis, Iii

Shane M Tulloch

Jennifer L Riddle

Nikki A Sikes

Gary J Becker

Matthew C Zack

Daniel Edwards

David M Sobie

John L Becker

A gaming table assembly for entertainment includes a plate and a mirror. The plate is substantially transparent. The mirror is shaped substantially complementarily to the plate. A first frame is coupled to a perimeter of the plate. A second frame is coupled to a circumference of the mirror. A plurality of legs is coupled to and extends between the first frame and the second frame. The legs are configured to support the first frame and the second frame on a horizontal surface with the first frame positioned distally from the horizontal surface and the mirror facing upwardly. A plurality of multifaceted gaming pieces is configured to position on the plate so that a respective facet of each multifaceted gaming piece is positioned in contact with the plate. The mirror is positioned to view the respective facet so that the respective facet is incorporable into a game.

Gaming table assembly

An anti-cavitation seat which is disposable between an inlet and an outlet of a pressure reducing valve, and including a plurality of inlets causing fluid to flow into a converging pathway to reduce pressure of the fluid. The inlets form a tortuous path for a portion of the fluid flowing into the anti-cavitation seat, so as to further reduce the pressure of the fluid. A standard stem assembly is used in conjunction with the anti-cavitation seat to alter the flow of fluid through the valve.

Anti-cavitation valve seat

Techniques for determining a suggested bid value that surpasses a selected bid are disclosed. A user selectable facility is provided. In response to receiving a selection event associated with the user selectable facility: (1) the value of the selected bid, which is other than the first ranked bid value, is established; (2) the suggested bid value is calculated by applying a predetermined minimum differential value to the selected bid value; and (3) the suggested bid value is conveyed to a user.

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

Techniques for advancing a first bidder to a desired rank in an electronic auction are disclosed. In response to actuation of a bid rank advancement function by a first bidder, a new bid for the first bidder is calculated by applying a predetermined minimum differential value to a current bid of a second bidder that holds the desired rank in the electronic auction. The new bid is automatically submitted to the electronic auction on behalf of the first bidder.

An auction is conducted by obtaining, from a buyer, information associated with a product to be purchased using an auction, where the buyer purchases the product from a winning bidder. The obtained information associated with the product is made available to at least a first bidder and a second bidder. A first bid that includes a first price and a first non-price information is received from the first bidder. A second bid that includes a second price and a second non-price information is received, from the second bidder. Non-price information is associated with (1) a description of a particular product a given bidder will provide in the event the given bidder wins the auction and/or (2) delivery of a product by the given bidder in the event the given bidder wins the auction. A first comparison value is generated based at least in part on the first price and the first non-price information. A second comparison value is generated based at least in part on the second price and the second non-price information. The first comparison value and the second comparison value are compared and the winning bidder of the auction is selected based at least in part on the comparison.

Method and system for conducting electronic auctions with multi-parameter price equalization bidding

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.

A system and method of transformation bidding in an electronic auction system. The system acquires lot data including tooling information for a lot, receives a bid from a bidder, and transforms the lot data and the bid into a true cost of procuring the lot from the bidder. The system also presents the true cost to a sponsor.

Transformation bidding with tooling requirements

Controlling overtime in an auction is disclosed. A first time interval and a second time interval are defined. A first closing time for a first lot is also defined. A first bid is received for the first lot. A second bid is received for the first lot. A correlation between the second bid and the first bid is determined. The first closing time is extended using the second time interval if the correlation between the second bid and the first bid satisfies a trigger criterion. The trigger criterion is selected from a group consisting of a rank behind market and a quantity behind market.

Method and system for controlling the initiation and duration of overtime interval in electronic auctions

Control of overtime in an auction is disclosed. A first time interval, a second time interval, and a first closing time for a first lot are defined. It is determined that at least one new bid for the first lot is received during the first time interval. The new bid is received close to the first closing time. The first closing time is extended using the second time interval if the correlation between the new bid and the at least one other bid satisfies a trigger criterion that is based on a rank of the new bid and the at least one other bid.

A method and system for conducting electronic auctions is described. A dynamic lot closing extension feature avoids collisions in closing times of multiple lots by dynamically extending the closing time of a subsequent lot if a preceding lot's closing time is extended to be too close to the subsequent lot's then-currently scheduled closing time. Scheduled closing times can be extended with a flexible overtime feature, in which the properties of the event triggering the extension and the duration of the overtime period(s) can be tailored to a particular auction, particular lots of products within an auction, and to the particular time within an auction process. The bidding status of a lot can be set to a 'pending' status after the nominal closing time for submission of bids to allow bidders to alert the auction coordinator of technical problems in submission of bids. This allows the possibility for a lot to be return to open status for further bidding by all bidders. The auction may be paused by the auction coordinator to correct technical, market and miscellaneous problems that may arise during the course of an auction. Individual bid ceilings can be set for each bidder so that they are required to bid lower than certain thresholds determined in advance of the auction. Failsafe error detection is performed to prevent erroneous bids from entering the auction. The auction coordinator has the ability to override any erroneous bids that are entered to prevent prejudice to the auction.

Method and system for controlling an electronic auction during the transition to a closed state

Information about a first lot and a second lot is displayed. The information includes a first closing time for the first lot, and a second closing time for the second lot. The second closing time is later than the first closing time. Responsive to the receipt of a bid for the first lot within a first predefined timer interval of the first closing time, an updated first closing time for the first lot is determined. The updated first closing time is displayed. If the updated first closing time is less than a second predefined time interval from the second closing time, an updated second closing time is displayed.

Method and system for dynamically controlling overtime in electronic auctions

Method and system for controlling the initiation and duration of overtime intervals in electronic auctions

A method and system for conducting electronic online auctions using multi-parameter price equalization bidding is disclosed. Bids defined in a context of a bidder are transformed into a comparative bid parameter that enables a common basis of comparison for the submitted bids. A transformed bid of a first bidder can also be detransformed into a context of a second bidder, thereby enabling each individual bidder to view a comparison of submitted bids in their own context.

A valve assembly for reducing cavitation includes a seat disposed within a valve housing intermediate a fluid inlet and outlet thereof. A disc guide is associated with the seat so as to be slidably moveable relative to the seat. The seat includes a wall defining an inner-chamber and having elongated slots formed therein so as to direct fluid towards a central portion of the fluid chamber. The disc guide includes a wall having elongated slots formed on an upper portion thereof, and a non-slotted lower portion configured to substantially occlude the elongated slots of the seat when the disc guide is moved into a closed position.

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Sewickley, PA, United States of America

David J Becker