Patent ID: 8744924

Claim:
A method implemented in a system comprising an auctioneer computer and a communications interface, said system arranged to receive information from a plurality of bidder computers, at least one of which is located remotely from the first computer, said method 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 distinct 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 at the auctioneer computer for items in the first set of items from the communications interface, c) determining, using the auctioneer computer, whether the first auction should terminate, d) repeating b) and c) until the first auction is terminated, and e) assigning the first set of items to bidders based on the bids received in the first and the second auctions.