Systems and Methods for Live Auctioneer Led Sales

Systems and methods for providing live auctioneer led sales of products, such as vehicles, between remotely located buyers, sellers, and auctioneers are provided herein. In certain aspects, systems and methods may facilitate one or more auctions led by a remotely located live auctioneer who receives bids from one or more remotely located buyers. Accordingly, in some examples, the auctioneer may accept bids from the buyers, encourage bidding from the buyers, and/or declare (or not declare) a product sold in real-time. In this manner, in certain aspects, the systems and methods enable an auction to be conduct by a live auctioneer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Overview

Illustrative embodiments may generally be directed to, among other things, providing live auctioneer led sales of vehicles between remotely located buyers, sellers, and auctioneers. In certain aspects, the vehicles may be sold through an auction platform, such as, for example, a server-based platform wherein each seller, buyer, and/or auctioneer may access the platform. In this manner, the platform may facilitate one or more auctions led (or driven) by a remotely located live auctioneer that may receive bids over the platform from one or more remotely located buyers. Accordingly, in some examples, the auctioneer may accept bids from the buyers, encourage bidding from the buyers, and/or declare (or not declare) a vehicle sold in real-time. In this manner, in certain aspects, the platform enables an auction to be conducted by a live auctioneer as if the auctioneer, the buyers, and the sellers were in the same physical location—like a traditional auction. The use of a live auctioneer in real-time communication with the buyers over the platform tends to ensure price realization (i.e., a price that adequately reflects the market value) of the vehicles being sold.

In certain aspects, one or more sellers may designate vehicles to be auctioned through the platform via an auction-style sale. In some instances, the sellers may also provide information associated with the vehicles to be purchased through the platform, including, but not limited to, a vehicle identification number (VIN), a make, a model, a year, a condition, a color, a trim, a value, a mileage, an image, a recording, a video, a location, seller information, an inventory identifier, a rating, a review, an amount of time the vehicle has been in a particular inventory, an amount of time the vehicle has been available for exchange, trade, or sale, or a vehicle history. In other instances, the information associated with the vehicles may be determined and/or received from one or more third parties, including, but not limited to, one or more vehicle identification number decoders, inventory management systems, dealer management systems, original equipment manufacturer databases, distributor databases, market value databases, vehicle history databases, or the like. In yet other instances, the information associated with the vehicles may be partially provided by the sellers and/or partially provided by the third parties.

Additionally, in some aspects, the sellers may provide information associated with a number of vehicles in the sellers' inventory. In certain instances, the sellers may filter the vehicle inventory based on the information associated with the vehicles. In this manner, the sellers may filter the vehicle inventory to view a specific subset of the vehicle inventory. For example, the sellers may filter the vehicle inventory based on at least a portion of a vehicle identification number (VIN) because certain digits of the VIN are indicative of the make, the model, or the place of manufacture, etc. of the vehicle. Moreover, the sellers may filter the vehicle inventory based on one or more of: a make, a model, a year, a condition, a color, a trim, a value, a mileage, a location, an inventory identifier, a rating, a review, an amount of time the vehicle has been in a particular inventory, an auction parameter, or an amount of time the vehicle has been available for exchange, trade, or sale, a combination thereof, or the like. Further, the sellers may designate one or more vehicles in the vehicle inventory (or a filtered subset thereof) to be sold via an auction through the platform. In this manner, the sellers may designate a run order (i.e., the order that the vehicles are to be auctioned off). In some instances, the sellers may designate a specific auction to sell the vehicles. For example, several auctions may be scheduled for a day, a week, a month, or a year, etc. Moreover, some auctions may be identified by the location of the sellers, the buyers, and/or the vehicles to be auctioned. In both instances, the sellers may specify which auction or auctions each of their vehicles may be sold.

In one example embodiment, the platform may facilitate an auction led by a remotely located live auctioneer. For example, the sellers, the buyers, and the auctioneer (and in some instances a block clerk that assists the auctioneer in conducting the auctions) may all be remotely located from one another. That is, they may all be located in geographically remote location, such as, for example, in different structures, cities, counties, states, countries etc. Any distance is within the scope of this disclosure. In certain aspects, the auctioneer may lead, control, drive, manage, or the like an auction via the platform. That is, in some examples, the auctioneer may take bids and/or encourage bidding from the buyers over the platform in real-time. For example, in certain embodiments, the buyers and/or the sellers may be provided with a real-time audio signal, video signal, or combination thereof of the live auctioneer conducting the sale of the vehicles by auction. Other signals associated with the live auctioneer may also be provided to the buyers and/or sellers. Similarly, the auctioneer may be provided with a real-time indication of one or more bids being placed by the buyers via the platform for the vehicles for sale by auction. For example, the indication of a bid from the buyers may include, but is not limited to, an audio signal, a video signal, an email, a text message, an instant message, a voice message, a video message, a telephone call, a video call, a combination thereof, or the like. In one example embodiment, the buyers may select (e.g., by clicking or hitting) a virtual button that may place a bid at the next incremental amount.

In certain embodiments, the platform may be configured to identify a winning bid for the vehicle. For example, in some instances, the platform may determine a winning bid for the vehicle and/or the auctioneer (or an assistant, such as the block clerk) may determine a winning bid for the vehicle. In such instances, the auctioneer or the block clerk may then enter the winning bid into the platform so that the seller may be notified of the winning bid. Moreover, in certain aspects, information associated with the winning bid and the winning buyer may be forwarded to the seller so that the seller and the buyer may complete the transaction.

In certain embodiments, the buyers may be presented with a listing of one or more vehicles to be sold by auction. In some instances, the listing of vehicles may include the above described information associated with the vehicles. In addition, in other instances, the listing of vehicles may be sorted or filtered by the buyer. For example, the buyer may sort the listing of vehicles by one or more of: at least a portion of a vehicle identification number (VIN), a make, a model, a year, a condition, a color, a trim, a value, a mileage, a location, a seller, an inventory identifier, a rating, a review, an amount of time the vehicle has been in a particular inventory, an auction parameter (such as reserve price, starting bid, floor, etc.), an amount of time the vehicle has been available for exchange, trade, or sale, an order that the vehicles will be auctioned, a buyer preference, a combination thereof, or the like. As such, the buyers may filter the listing of vehicles to determine one or more vehicles to bid on during an auction. In other embodiments, the buyers may be presented with a listing of auctions and/or sellers. In addition, in some examples, the listing of auctions or sellers may be sorted or filtered by the buyer. For example, the buyer may filter the auctions and/or sellers by location, date, time, auction inventory, etc. In this manner, the buyer may identify a particular auction and/or seller to purchase vehicles from. It is appreciated that any parameter may be used to filter the above described listings.

In some aspects, the platform may facilitate communication between the buyers and the sellers before, during, and after the sale of a vehicle. That is, in some examples, the platform may include an interface that facilitates sending an email, a text message, an instant message, a voice message, a video message, a telephone call, a video call, or the like between a buyer and a seller. Alternatively or additionally, the platform may enable information from buyers, sellers or platform administrators to be posted directly to pages, such as vehicle pages or auction pages, directly on the platform. Moreover, the platform may be configured to provide an indication to the buyer of various services provided by the seller, such as, but not limited to, reconditioning services and the associated costs. Additionally, in some embodiments, buyers, sellers, and/or other users of the platform may provide reviews and/or ratings of users (including the buyers and sellers) using the platform and/or reviews and/or ratings of vehicles purchased through the platform.

In certain embodiments, the sellers may designate a reserve price for the vehicle. In some instances, the platform may be configured to determine if a bid for the vehicle is greater than or equal to the reserve price for the vehicle. Additionally, in other embodiments, the sellers may indicate a no-sale for the vehicle. That is, if a vehicle for auction is not receiving many bids (if any) and the reserve price is not likely to be met, the seller may have the option to designate the sale a no-sale, which may end the auction immediately. In still other embodiments, the buyers may place proxy bids (also known as absentee bids or automatic bids). That is, the buyers may designate a maximum amount they are willing to bid for a vehicle. In such instances, as other bids are made, the platform may automatically increase the bids by a pre-specified increment until the maximum amount is reached. Alternatively, proxy bids may be entered in other than predetermined increments, and so long as a maximum proxy bid is not exceeded, a proxy bidder's bid may be increased to match or exceed the other bidder's bid. Moreover, in some instances, the buyers may place if/then proxy bids. In such instances, a buyer may identify one or more vehicles that the buyer wants to bid on in the alternative. That is, if the buyer wins an auction on a first vehicle, the buyer may only want to bid a certain amount for a subsequent vehicle in a subsequent auction or the same auction. Alternatively, if the buyer wins an auction on a first vehicle, the buyer may not want to bid on a subsequent vehicle in the same auction or a subsequent auction.

In some examples, the platform may provide settlement services such as, but not limited to, return services, title services, shipping services, arbitration services, financing services, payment transfer services, and the like, to the buyers and sellers once a sale occurs. Additionally, the platform may provide functionality for completing the sale. However, in some examples, the platform may only facilitate communication between the buyers and sellers and may not actually be involved in the settlement of the transaction between the buyers and sellers. Further, in some examples, sellers may be owners who wish to sell or exchange their vehicles, or those with the authority to sell or exchange the vehicle for the owners. Additionally, buyers may be those people or entities that receive vehicles, new or used, in exchange for either money (or its equivalent) or other items. Generally, but not always, the buyer may intend, or attempt, to resell the vehicle that was purchased.

In some aspects, the platform may determine or identify wholesale, retail, and/or other values for vehicles in the platform. In other examples, a wholesale and/or retail value may be provided by the seller, a dealer management system (DMS) service, a third-party vehicle valuation service, a combination thereof, or the like. For example, the value may be based on the condition of the vehicle, the mileage, the year, the make and/or the model of the vehicle, and/or market conditions, such as real-time market conditions, related to the same or similar vehicles.

In certain embodiments, the platform may provide a dynamic, no-questions-asked, money-back, vehicle-return guarantee for vehicle purchases. In some aspects, next to each vehicle for sale, a guarantee acquisition fee may be displayed. This guarantee acquisition fee may indicate the additional cost, to the buyer, to purchase a no-questions-asked, money-back, vehicle-return guarantee from the auction platform. As such, if a vehicle and its respective vehicle-return guarantee are purchased, the buyer may return the vehicle to the auction platform for a full or partial refund of the vehicle purchase price.

Further, by way of example and without limitation, real-time communications between the auctioneers, buyers, and/or sellers may include auctions that are conducted based on real-time, or near real-time, exchanges of communications or data. That is, communications and/or data may be updated continuously over a period of time or any appropriate interval based on the context. For example, as those of skill in the art will understand, different contexts may create different understandings of real-time.

As an overview, the items auctioned through the platform may be any products or services that may be sold or exchanged in an auction including, for example, and without limitation, vehicles, vehicle parts, computer products, firearms, articles of clothing, gemstones, jewelry, consumer electronics, electronics parts, yard appliances, construction machines and equipment, aircrafts, boats, office equipment, furniture, manufacturing equipment, packaging equipment, kitchen equipment, appliances, raw materials, mineral rights, water rights, combinations of the foregoing, or the like, or related products and components. While many of the embodiments of this Detailed Description are described in terms of vehicles, those of skill in the art will understand that the disclosure is not so limited, and other products, as described herein, could be substituted for vehicles.

Illustrative Architecture

FIG. 1depicts an illustrative system100in which techniques for providing live auctioneer led sales of vehicles between remotely located buyers, sellers, and auctioneers may be implemented. As shown inFIG. 1, the system100may include one or more service provider computers110, one or more sellers102associated with one or more seller devices104(1), . . . ,104(N), one or more buyers106associated with one or more buyer devices107(1), . . . ,107(N), one or more auctioneers116associated with one or more auctioneer devices118(1), . . . ,118(N), and one or more third-party computers112. In system100, the sellers102may utilize seller devices104to access a client application interface130(or website) that may be provided by, created by, or otherwise associated with one or more service provider computers110via one or more networks108. In some instances, the seller devices104may be configured to present or otherwise display a client application interface130to the one or more sellers102. The networks108may include any one or a combination of multiple different types of networks, such as, but not limited to, cable networks, the Internet, wireless networks, and other private and/or public networks. While the illustrated example represents the sellers102, the buyers106, and the auctioneers116accessing a client application interface130over the networks108, the described techniques may equally apply in instances where the sellers102, the buyers106, and the auctioneers116interact with a service provider via a personal computer, over the phone, via a kiosk, or in any other manner. It is also noted that the described techniques may apply in other client/server arrangements (e.g., set-top boxes, etc.), as well as in non-client/server arrangements (e.g., locally stored software applications, etc.).

In some aspects, the client application interface130associated with the seller devices104may allow the sellers102to access, receive from, transmit to, or otherwise interact with the service provider via one or more service provider computers110. In some examples, the client application interface130may also allow the sellers102to receive from or transmit to the service provider computers110over the networks108, information associated with one or more vehicles114in an inventory of the seller102including, but not limited to, the make, the model, the color, the mileage, the vehicle identification number (VIN), the condition, the trim, the vehicle history, and/or one or more features or options, etc. Additionally, through the client application interface130, the seller102may also be able to search for other vehicles that may be offered for sale by other sellers102associated with other seller devices104. Further, in some examples, information about the vehicles114that are for sale may be provided to the service provider computers110by third-party providers associated with the third-party computers112, such as, but not limited to, DMSs, other inventory management systems, other inventory data feeds, and/or one or more vehicle identification number decoders, market value databases, or the like. The third-party computers112may be associated with any number and/or type of third-party providers that may provide a range of information and/or services that facilitate the sale of the vehicles114.

In certain aspects, the client application interface130associated with the seller devices104may allow the sellers102to monitor and/or arrange the auction of a vehicle114. For example, the seller102may designate a reserve price for the vehicle114and/or provide an indication of a no sale of the vehicle114via the client application interface130associated with the seller devices104. Moreover, the client application interface130associated with the seller devices104may provide the seller102with information associated with the auction, such as, but not limited to, information associated with a winning bid, buyer information, payment information, transportation costs, etc.

In addition, the buyers106may utilize buyer devices107to access a client application interface130that may be provided by, created by, or otherwise associated with one or more service provider computers110via one or more networks108. In some instances, the buyer devices107may be configured to present or otherwise display a client application interface130to the one or more buyers106. The client application interfaces130associated with the buyer devices107may allow the buyers106to access, receive from, transmit to, or otherwise interact with the service provider via the service provider computers110. For example, through the client application interface130associated with the buyer devices107, the buyers106may receive information associated with the vehicles114that the seller102would like to sell, sort and/or filter information associated with the vehicles114, and participate in an auction for the vehicles114. That is, the client application interfaces130associated with the buyer devices107may allow the buyers to place bids for vehicles114and provide the buyer106with information associated with the auction, such as, but not limited to, information associated with a winning bid, seller information, vehicle information, payment information, transportation costs, etc. Moreover, the client application interfaces130associated with the buyer devices107may provide the buyers with a live video signal of the auctioneer116auctioning the vehicles114. In this manner, the buyers106may place bids for the vehicles114via the client application interfaces130associated with the buyer devices107.

Further, a client application interface130may be associated with the auctioneer devices118and may allow the auctioneers116to access, receive from, transmit to, or otherwise interact with the service provider via the service provider computers110to participate in the auctions. For example, through the client application interface130associated with the auctioneer devices118, the auctioneers116may lead auctions of vehicles114between remotely located buyers106and sellers102. That is, the auctioneer116may take bids from the remotely located buyers106and otherwise conduct an auction of the vehicles114over the network108via the service provider computers110. In some examples, the client application interface130associated with the auctioneer devices118may allow the auctioneer116to view information associated with the vehicles114up for auction, such as a make, a year, a mileage, a condition, or the like. Moreover, via the client application interface130associated with the auctioneer devices118, the auctioneer116may view information associated with the auction, such as a run order, a start time, a current bid, a reserve price, etc.

The service provider computers110may be any type of computing devices, such as, but not limited to, mobile, desktop, and/or cloud computing devices, such as servers. In some examples, the service provider computers110may be in communication with the seller devices104, the buyer devices107, and the auctioneer devices118via the networks108, or via other network connections. The service provider computers110may include one or more servers, perhaps arranged in a cluster, as a server farm, or as individual servers not associated with one another. These servers may be configured to host a website viewable via the client application interfaces130associated with the seller devices104, the buyer devices107, and the auctioneer devices118or any other Web browser accessible by a seller102, a buyer106, or an auctioneer116, such as, but not limited to, one or more of the seller devices104, the buyer devices107, or the auctioneer devices118. In addition, the service provider computers110may communicate with one or more applications or other programs running the seller devices104, the buyer devices107, or the auctioneer devices118.

The seller devices104, the buyer devices107, and the auctioneer devices118may be any type of computing devices including, but not limited to, desktop personal computers (PCs), laptop PCs, mobile phones, smartphones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), tablet PCs, game consoles, set-top boxes, wearable computers, e-readers, web-enabled TVs, cloud-enabled devices and work stations, and the like. In some instances, each seller device104, buyer device107, and auctioneer device118may be equipped with one or more processors120and memory122to store applications and data, such as an auction application124that may display a client application interface130and/or enable access to a website stored on the service provider computers110, or elsewhere, such as a cloud computing network. In other instances, each seller device104, buyer device107, and auctioneer device118may be capable of receiving and/or transmitting one or more video signals, audio signals, and/or other signals over the network108and may include hardware, software, or a combination thereof to perform such functions. For example, the auctioneer devices118may include a video/audio module125that may be associated with hardware, such as a video camera or audio recorder, for capturing the auctioneer116as the auctioneer116conducts an auction of the vehicles114.

The system100may also include one or more third-party services operating one or more third-party computers112. The third-party computers112may also be any type of computing devices such as, but not limited to, mobile, desktop, and/or cloud computing devices, such as servers. In some examples, the third-party computers112may be in communication with the service provider computers110and/or the seller devices104, the buyer devices107, and/or the auctioneer devices118via the networks108, or via other network connections. The third-party computers112may include one or more servers, perhaps arranged in a cluster, as a server farm, or as individual servers not associated with one another. These servers may be configured to provide information associated with the vehicles114. In some aspects, the third-party services may include, but are not limited to, information aggregation services (e.g., services that determine market values for items based on aggregated information associated with those items), financial institutions, credit institutions, and the like. As such, when requested by the service provider computers110, the third-party computers112may provide information associated with the vehicles114. In some examples, this information may be utilized by the service provider computers110to determine a market value or other information related to the vehicles114, which may be presented to the sellers102, the buyers106, and/or auctioneer116.

In certain aspects, the service provider computers110may facilitate an auction for the sale of a vehicle114. In some examples, the auctioneer116may take bids and/or encourage bidding from the buyers106in real-time over the network108. For example, in certain embodiments, the buyers106and/or the sellers102may be provided with a real-time audio signal, a video signal, or combination thereof of a live auctioneer116conducting the sale of the vehicle114by auction. In this manner, the buyers106may interact with the auctioneer116as if they were in the same physical location. That is, the auctioneer116may lead (or drive) the auction by taking bids from the buyers106, notifying the buyers106of current bids, encouraging bids from the buyers106, and/or declaring a vehicle sold. Similarly, the auctioneer116may be provided with a real-time indication of one or more bids placed by the buyers106for the vehicle114for sale by auction.

In one illustrative configuration, the service provider computer110comprises at least a memory131and one or more processing units (or processors)132. The processors132may be implemented as appropriate in hardware, software, firmware, or combinations thereof. Software or firmware implementations of the processors132may include computer-executable or machine-executable instructions written in any suitable programming language to perform the various functions described.

Memory131may store program instructions that are loadable and executable on the processors132, as well as data generated during the execution of these programs. Depending on the configuration and type of service provider computer110, memory131may be volatile (such as random access memory (RAM)) and/or non-volatile (such as read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, etc.). The service provider computer110or server may also include additional removable storage134and/or non-removable storage136including, but not limited to, magnetic storage, optical disks, and/or tape storage. The disk drives and their associated computer-readable media may provide non-volatile storage of computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, and other data for the computing devices. In some implementations, the memory131may include multiple different types of memory, such as static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), or ROM.

The memory131, the removable storage134, and the non-removable storage136are all examples of computer-readable storage media. For example, computer-readable storage media may include volatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. Memory131, removable storage134, and non-removable storage136are all examples of computer storage media. Additional types of computer storage media that may be present include, but are not limited to, programmable random access memory (PRAM), SRAM, DRAM, RAM, ROM, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or other memory technology, compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), digital versatile disc (DVD) or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store the desired information and which can be accessed by the service provider computer110or other computing devices. Combinations of the any of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media.

The service provider computer110may also contain communication connection(s)138that allow the service provider computer110to communicate with a stored database, another computing device or server, user terminals, and/or other devices on a network. The service provider computer110may also include input device(s)140such as a keyboard, mouse, pen, voice input device, touch input device, etc., and output device(s)142, such as a display, speakers, printers, etc.

Turning to the contents of the memory131in more detail, the memory131may include an operating system144and one or more application programs or services for implementing the features disclosed herein, including an auction module148. In some instances, the auction module148may receive, transmit, and/or store information in the database151. In some aspects, the auction module148may be configured to receive and/or transmit information between the sellers102, the buyers106, and the auctioneers116. For example, the auction module148may be configured to enable the sellers102to transmit and/or designate vehicles114to be sold at auction. In some examples, the sellers102may provide information associated with the vehicles114, or the information associated with the vehicles114may be determined and/or received from one or more third-party computers112, including, but is not limited to, one or more inventory management systems, market value databases, or the like.

Additionally, the auction module148may be configured to facilitate an auction led by a remotely located live auctioneer116. For example, the auctioneer116may receive bids and/or encourage bidding from the buyers106and declare a vehicle114sold (or not sold) in real-time. In certain embodiments, the auction module148may be configured to provide the buyers106and/or the sellers102with a real-time audio signal, a video signal, or a combination thereof of the live auctioneer116conducting the sale of the vehicles114by auction. Similarly, the auction module148may be configured to provide the auctioneer116and/or the seller102with a real-time indication of one or more bids being placed by the buyers106. In some examples, the auction module148may be configured to identify a winning bid for the vehicle114at the end of an auction.

In some instances, the auction module148may include one or more application programs or services for implementing the features disclosed herein, including a bid module150and/or a data module152. For example, the bid module150may be configured to receive and/or transmit one or more bids between the auctioneer116and the one or more buyers106. In some instances, the bid module150may be configured to provide a real-time indication of one or more bids being placed by the buyers106via the buyer devices107for the vehicles114for sale by auction. In some examples, the indication of a bid from the buyers106may include, but is not limited to, an audio signal, a video signal, an email, a text message, an instant message, a voice message, a video message, a telephone call, a video call, a combination thereof, or the like. Said signals associated with a bid may be provided to the auctioneer116and/or the sellers102. In addition, the bid module150may be configured to provide the buyers106and/or the sellers102with a real-time audio signal, a video signal, or a combination thereof of the live auctioneer116conducting the sale of the vehicles114by auction. Accordingly, the bid module150may be configured to facilitate communications between the buyers106and the auctioneers116that are associated with an auction.

In certain aspects, the data module152may be configured to facilitate the exchange of data between the buyers106, the sellers102, and/or the auctioneers116. For example, the data module152may be configured to receive and/or transmit information associated with the vehicles114to the buyers106, the sellers102, and/or the auctioneers116, including, but not limited to, a vehicle identification number (VIN), a make, a model, a year, a condition, a color, a trim, a value, a mileage, an image, a recording, a video, a location, seller information, an inventory identifier, a rating, a review, an amount of time the vehicle has been in a particular inventory, or an amount of time the vehicle has been available for exchange, trade, or sale. In some instances, the data module152may be configured to receive the information associated with the vehicles114from one or more third parties associated with third party computers112, including, but is not limited to, one or more vehicle identification number decoders, inventory management systems, dealer management systems, original equipment manufacturer databases, distributor databases, market value databases, or the like. In other instances, the data module152may be configured to receive the information associated with the vehicles114by the sellers102and/or by the third parties.

Various instructions, methods, and techniques described herein may be considered in the general context of computer-executable instructions, such as program modules, executed by one or more computers or other devices. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc., for performing particular tasks or implementing particular abstract data types. These program modules and the like may be executed as native code or may be downloaded and executed, such as in a virtual machine or other just-in-time compilation execution environment. Typically, the functionality of the program modules may be combined or distributed as desired in various embodiments. An implementation of these modules and techniques may be stored on some form of computer-readable storage media.

The example architectures and computing devices shown inFIG. 1is provided by way of example only. Numerous other operating environments, system architectures, and device configurations are possible. Accordingly, embodiments of the present disclosure should not be construed as being limited to any particular operating environment, system architecture, or device configuration.

Illustrative Processes

The process200may, but need not, be implemented by a computing device operated by a service provider, such as the service provider computers110. In some aspects, the process200may begin by receiving information associated with one or more vehicles at block202. In some examples, the sellers102may provide the information associated with the vehicles114to the service provider computers110. In other instances, the information associated with the vehicles114may be determined and/or received from one or more third-party computers112, including, but not limited to, one or more vehicle identification number decoders, inventory management systems, dealer management systems, original equipment manufacturer databases, distributor databases, market value databases, or the like. In yet other instances, the information associated with the vehicles114may be partially provided by the sellers102and/or partially provided by the third-party computers112. The information associated with the vehicles114may include, but is not limited to, a vehicle identification number (VIN), a make, a model, a year, a condition, a color, a trim, a value, a mileage, a feature, an option, an image, a recording, a video, a location, seller information, an inventory identifier, a rating, a review, an amount of time the vehicle has been in a particular inventory, or an amount of time the vehicle has been available for exchange, trade, or sale. Other information may also be associated with the vehicles114.

In certain embodiments, the information associated with the vehicles114may be provided to the buyers106before, during, or after an auction. Moreover, in some examples, the buyers106, the sellers102, and/or the auctioneers116may request additional information about the vehicles114from the third-party computers112and/or from the sellers102.

Additionally, in some aspects, the service provider computers110may receive a signal indicative of an auctioneer116conducting a sale of the vehicle114by auction at block204. For example, in certain embodiments, the signal may include a real-time audio signal, a video signal, a text-based ticker, or a combination thereof of the live auctioneer116conducting the sale of the vehicles114by auction. The process200may then provide the signal of the auctioneer116to the buyers106at block206. Further, at block208, the service provider computers110may receive one or more bids for the vehicles114from the buyers106. For example, the buyers106may place the bids in real-time, or the buyers106may designate proxy bids (also known as absentee bids or automatic bids). That is, the buyers may designate a maximum amount they are willing to bid for a vehicle. At this stage, the process200may facilitate an auction led by a remotely located live auctioneer116. For example, the sellers102, the buyers106, and the auctioneer116may all be remotely located from one another. That is, in some examples, the live auctioneer116may remotely take bids and/or encourage bidding from the buyers106in real-time. For example, as noted above, the buyers106and/or the sellers102may be provided with a real-time audio signal, a video signal, or a combination thereof of the live auctioneer116conducting the sale of the vehicles114by auction. Similarly, the auctioneer116may be provided with a real-time indication of the one or more bids placed by the buyers106for the vehicles.

The process200may then identify a winning bid for the vehicle114at block210. For example, in some instances, the sellers102may designate a reserve price for the vehicle114. In such instances, the process200may determine if a bid for the vehicle114is greater than or equal to the reserve price for the vehicle114. Additionally, in other instances, the sellers102may indicate a no-sale for the vehicle114. That is, if a vehicle for auction is not receiving many bids (if any) and the reserve price is not likely to be met, the seller102may have the option to designate the sale a no-sale, which may end the auction immediately. Moreover, in some examples, information associated with the winning buyer106may be provided to the seller102and information associated with the seller102may be provided to the winning buyer102at the end of the auction.

FIG. 3illustrates a flow diagram showing the process300for providing live auctioneer led sales of vehicles between remotely located buyers, sellers, and auctioneers. The process300may, but need not, be implemented by the service provider computer110. In some aspects, the process300may begin by receiving information associated with a plurality of vehicles114at block302. In some aspects, the information associated with the plurality of vehicles114may be received via the one or more input devices140ofFIG. 1; while in other aspects, the information associated with the plurality of vehicles114may be received simply via the network108or other means. Again, in some examples, the sellers102may provide the information associated with the plurality of vehicles114and/or the information associated with the plurality of vehicles114may be determined and/or received from one or more third-party computers112as described above.

In certain aspects, at block304, the process300may then receive an indication of one or more of the plurality of vehicles114to sell at auction. In some instances, the sellers102may filter the plurality of vehicles114based on the information associated with the vehicles114(as described above) before selecting which vehicles114to sell. For example, the sellers102may filter the plurality of vehicles114to view a specific subset of the plurality of vehicles114. That is, in some examples, the sellers102may filter the plurality of vehicles114based on one or more of: at least a portion of a vehicle identification number (VIN), a make, a model, a year, a condition, a color, a trim, a value, a mileage, a location, an inventory identifier, a rating, a review, an amount of time the vehicle has been in a particular inventory, an auction parameter, or an amount of time the vehicle has been available for exchange, trade, or sale, a combination thereof, or the like. As such, the sellers102may designate one or more vehicles114of the plurality of vehicles114(or a filtered subset thereof) to be sold at auction.

The process300may then receive an indication of an auction to sell the one or more vehicles114at block306. That is, the sellers102may designate a specific auction to sell the vehicles114. For example, several auctions may be scheduled for a day, a week, a month, or a year, etc., and the sellers102may specify the auctions where their vehicles will be sold. Moreover, some auctions may be based at least in part on the location of the sellers102, the buyers106, and/or the vehicles114to be auctioned. As such, the sellers102may select an auction that best suits their goals. Next, at block308, the sellers102may designate a run order. The run order is the order the vehicles114are to be auctioned off at the selected auction.

Illustrative systems and methods for providing live auctioneer led sales of vehicles between remotely located buyers, sellers, and auctioneers are described above. Some or all of these systems and methods may, but need not, be implemented at least partially by architectures and/or flows such as those shown inFIGS. 1-3above.