Patent ID: 7835982
Filing Date: 2010-11-16
Classification: G06Q

Abstract:
1. A method of auctioning an item using a computer arrangement using a communications network coupling a live auction site including a block client device to plural remote computing devices each including a display and an input device, said method comprising: employing a human auctioneer to offer an item for sale at the live auction site, said auctioneer inviting plural potential buyers to bid on said item; receiving a high bid from one of said plural potential buyers, at least some of said plural potential buyers being co-located with said human auctioneer; requesting a seller located remotely from said human auctioneer and participating in said auction via the communications network and a remote computing device including a display and an input device to decide on the sale of the item at the received high bid by sending, over the communications network, plural selectable options to the remote seller, said plural selectable options including at least (a) acceptance, and (b) counter-offer; receiving a response to said request from said seller over the communications network; if said remotely located seller has approved said sale, sending an electronic message to said human auctioneer authorizing said auctioneer to sell said item to said one of said plural buyers at said high bid; and if said remotely located seller does not accept said high bid but instead proposes a counter-offer, communicating said counter-offer to said potential buyer submitting a high bid including determining whether said potential buyer is participating in the auction online or in-person, routing said counter-offer to a remote computing device operated by said potential buyer over the communications network if said potential buyer is participating online, and routing said counter-offer to the block client device for in-person communication to said potential buyer if said potential buyer is participating in the auction in-person .