Patent ID: 7146331
Filing Date: 2006-12-05
Classification: G06Q

Abstract:
1. A method for selecting a group of bidders for a current bidding event to auction a lot having one or more items, said method comprising: identifying a prior bidding event having occurred before said current bidding event, wherein said prior bidding event includes a plurality of contact events for each bidder participating in said prior bidding event; further identifying one or more participating bidders for said prior bidding event; quantifying participation of each identified bidder in each of said plurality of contact events for said prior bidding event, thereby generating a corresponding participation score for each said identified bidder; prioritizing using prioritizing software the identified bidders in a first descending order based on said corresponding participation score, thereby generating a first prioritized list of bidders; selecting said group of bidders for said current bidding event from said first prioritized list of bidders; further identifying each bid-in event for said prior bidding event, wherein each said bid-in event is one of said plurality of contact events and relates to bids received from one or more identified bidders during said prior bidding event; obtaining a corresponding rank for each said identified bidder for each said bid-in event in which said identified bidder has participated; quantifying each corresponding rank for each said identified bidder for each said bid-in event in which said identified bidder has participated, thereby generating a corresponding competitiveness score for each said identified bidder; prioritizing using prioritizing software the identified bidders in a second descending order based on said corresponding competitiveness score, thereby generating a second prioritized list of bidders; and selecting said group of bidders for said current bidding event from at least one of said first prioritized list of bidders and said second prioritized list of bidders.