Patent ID: 8145555
Filing Date: 2012-03-27
Classification: G06Q

Abstract:
1. A method implemented in a system comprising a plurality of computers, at least one of which is located remotely from at least one other of said computers and interconnected by a communication system, for conducting a first auction of a first set of items, said first auction conducted in association with a second auction of a second set of items, said first set of items being different from said second set of items, at least two bidders participating in the first auction, the method comprising: a) initiating the first auction by identifying the first set of items, b) receiving bids for items in the first set of items using a first computer of said system and communicating at least some of said bids to a second computer of said system which is remote from said first computer via the communication system, c) constraining the received bids by accepting only bids which satisfy a constraint based on bids in the second auction, d) determining, using the second computer, whether the first auction should terminate, e) repeating b), c) and d) until the first auction is terminated, and f) assigning the first set of items to bidders based on the bids in force at the time the first auction was terminated.