The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 11, 2011
Filed:
Sep. 28, 2001
Daniel Abeshouse, Edgewood, PA (US);
Scott W. Atkinson, Pittsburgh, PA (US);
David J. Becker, Sewickley, PA (US);
Sheila C. Halter, Pittsburgh, PA (US);
Kimberly A. Harrigal, Pittsburgh, PA (US);
Vincent F. Rago, Pittsburgh, PA (US);
William D. Rupp, Mt. Lebanon, PA (US);
David M. Scoular, Pittsburgh, PA (US);
Robert G. Stevens, Tokyo, JP;
Douglas R. Wagner, Bethel Park, PA (US);
Robert B. Lang, Jr., Glenshaw, PA (US);
Daniel Abeshouse, Edgewood, PA (US);
Scott W. Atkinson, Pittsburgh, PA (US);
David J. Becker, Sewickley, PA (US);
Sheila C. Halter, Pittsburgh, PA (US);
Kimberly A. Harrigal, Pittsburgh, PA (US);
Vincent F. Rago, Pittsburgh, PA (US);
William D. Rupp, Mt. Lebanon, PA (US);
David M. Scoular, Pittsburgh, PA (US);
Robert G. Stevens, Tokyo, JP;
Douglas R. Wagner, Bethel Park, PA (US);
Robert B. Lang, Jr., Glenshaw, PA (US);
Ariba, Inc., Sunnyvale, CA (US);
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.