EP1236148B1 - Computer-aided auctioning method and auctioning system - Google Patents

Abstract

A computer-based auction method and auction system in which vendors offer products, services and/or information as auction objects, auction object data relating to the auction objects being captured in an input module and being disseminated over telecommunications channels, and in which interested customers make auction bids for offered auction objects, bid data being prepared and being sent over a telecommunications network to an evaluation unit, where they are evaluated and the best bid for the auction object is determined, class designations based on a predefined object classification being inserted into the auction object data and the auction object data being filtered based on customer-specific object profiles, and during the preparation of the bid data in the communication terminal of the customer a bid amount entered by the interested customer is linked to at least certain data contained in the auction object data.

Description

The present invention relates to a computer-based auction method and a computerized auction system, in soft sellers Offer products, services and information and interested Customers in remote locations can make auction offers, with the Transmission of product offers and auction offers via telecommunication channels he follows.

Traditional auctions require the presence of the customer or Bidder at the auction. In addition, the goods must be inspected at the location brought to the auction. The early submission of an auction offer by letter, or the transmission of an auction offer by telephone, telex or fax relieve the customer of the presence at the auction. With larger ones Auctions, however, the customer usually relies on a representative, who takes part in the auction for him. Traditional auctions are therefore for many customers not very attractive.

The spread of email led to the introduction of email auctions, first being an auctioneer who sent the email offers received and entered into a database. Only in the following years fully computerized auction systems were created. The strong one Spread of the internet contributed significantly to being computer-based Online auctions became well known. Most of these online auction systems have a central host computer or server the product provider side, which over a LAN (Local Area Network), WAN (Wide Area Network) or, as already mentioned, over the Internet with a variety is connected from remote terminals on the customer side, the Functions of such an auction system in a computer program are implemented.

Document US 5835896 shows the current state of the art. The document US 5835896 describes a system and a method for Processing and transmission of information in electronic auctions, that do without the person of an auctioneer. The described Auction procedure and system allows interested bidders (in the further Description referred to as customer) from one to a customer terminal Submitted catalog page to select products and interactive offers (hereinafter referred to as auction offers). The auction system automatically evaluates customers' auction offers, informs customers continuously about the status of the auction, the customers can enter further auction offers. After the auction ends the auction system notifies successful customers and losers about the outcome of the auction. The auction system consists of a host computer and a computer network that the host computer with connects several remote customer terminals and is a computer program implemented on the host computer and computer network. Furthermore, the described auction system has means for information to disseminate the products offered via the computer network, via input means, via which interested customers auction offers for the offered auction objects can enter via receiving means to Receive the auction offers entered by customers, and via Evaluation means to automatically convert the received auction offers into successful ones and to classify unsuccessful auction offers.

The auction procedures and auction systems according to the state of the Technology have the disadvantage of being within a single computer network are implemented. The current situation in the field of Telecommunications is characterized in that the transmission environment is heterogeneous. The auction procedures and auction systems according to the status the technology and the transmission methods and transmission systems which used in it are hardly apt to deal with this new situation To finish.

Another problem concerns the flood of information with which potential Customers are confronted: On the one hand, the customer wants from a broad Being able to choose a product range and, on the other hand, not spending unnecessary time for reviewing product offers that do not interest him. The auction procedures and auction systems according to the state of the art and the transmission methods and systems used therein have so far neglected this problem.

It is an object of the present invention, a new and better auction process and a new and better auction system to propose which do not have the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art Show technology.

According to the present invention, these objectives achieved in particular by the features of the independent claims. Further advantageous embodiments also go from the dependent ones Claims and from the description.

These goals are achieved by the invention in particular achieved that the auction objects based on a predefined Object classification classified and the corresponding class names are inserted into the auction object information and the auction object information for later use based on customer-specific Object profiles are filtered, and in that when providing the Offer information for each offer in the communication terminal of the Customers an offer amount entered by the interested customer at least certain information contained in the auction object information and / or information associated with the auction object information, such as With an object code.

The present invention can be based on computer Apply auction procedures and computerized auction systems, In soft providers as products, services and / or information Offer auction objects. The auction objects are classified preferably when collecting the auction object information. there be an auction object based on a predefined Object classification, assigned one or more class names, and the class names or a corresponding classification code in the auction object information belonging to this auction object. Because of the class names in the auction object information are included, the auction object offers can be filtered easily become. The filtering can e.g. in the customer's communication terminal take place, whereby the customer of unwanted auction object offers is relieved. The filtering is based on customer-specific Object profiles, which are also predefined on the aforementioned Object classification based. On the side of the product provider, the Classification of the offer objects has the advantage that it is a very efficient one Marketing enables by targeting selected customer segments can be addressed.

Another advantageous feature of the invention is that in the customer's communication terminal when providing the offer information the offer amount entered by the customer with at least certain information contained in the auction object information and / or information associated with the auction object information, such as with the object code already mentioned, is linked. The link mentioned serves in addition, the entered bid amount an auction object offer assigned. The customer identification is, depending on the version, in the Communication terminal of the customer or at a later time in the Offer information inserted. In one embodiment variant, e.g. in the Communication terminal of the customer an electronic signature in the Offer information inserted. In the receiving module, which contains the offer information receives, the electronic signature is checked and thereby authenticating the customer in question, and the name and address of the customer added to the offer information. The abstract all important information of an auction offer in a offer information package allows transmission over any telecommunications network, such as. the Internet, Internet Mobile or cellular phone networks, for example UMTS, GSM or satellite-based mobile phone networks, using SMS (Short Message Service), USSD (Unstructured Supplemetary Service Data), or WAP (Wireless Application Protocol) and has great advantages in a heterogeneous transmission environment.

The auction object information advantageously contains additional information to identify the provider or the Evaluation unit, for example the address, the domain name or a Abbreviation of the provider or the evaluation unit. The information on Identification of the provider or the evaluation unit can be done at Transmission of the auction offers can be used to submit the auction offers to to transmit the corresponding destination addresses.

Advantageously, the auction object information is added to belong to a certain auction object in an information package distributed data structure. The summary of all Offer object information in an offer information package allows the Transmission via any telecommunication channels, e.g. DAB (digital Audio broadcasting), DVB (digital video broadcasting), or telecommunication networks such as. the Internet, Internet Mobile or cellular phone networks, for example UMTS, GSM or satellite-based mobile phone networks, using SMS, USSD or WAP and has in a heterogeneous Transmission environment great advantages.

In an advantageous embodiment, the Auction object information generates a checksum that, along with the auction object information is transmitted, the error-free Transmission of the auction object information using the checksum is checked. Any known person can be used to generate the checksum Error checking or error correction algorithm are used, e.g. on Parity check algorithm, which determines the parity of at least part of the Auction object information determined. The checksum (i.e. in the example the Parity) is transmitted together with the auction object information. The Telecommunication system or the customer's communication terminal contains means for the checksum of the transmitted auction object information to determine and with the transmitted checksum to compare. If the comparison is negative, an alarm is triggered, For example, a message is generated, the transmission is stopped or the Selection or the display of the relevant auction object information suppressed. Depending on the type of algorithm used, there is also a Error correction possible.

In a further advantageous embodiment variant, the customer receives a confirmation of his auction offer. For this purpose e.g. the Receiving module, which receives the auction offers, a confirmation message generate and via a telecommunications network to the customer send. The transmission can be carried out, for example, via a GSM radio telephone network using SMS, USSD or WAP or over the Internet or the Internet Mobile done.

Fig. 1 zeigt ein Blockdiagramm des Ausführungsbeispiels,

Fig. 2 ein Blockdiagramm des Eingabemoduls für die Eingabe der Angebote,

Fig. 3 die Datenstruktur des Objektcodes im Ausführungsbeispiel.

Fig. 4 die Datenstruktur für die Verbreitung der Auktionsobjektangebote,

Fig. 5 die Datenstruktur für die Übermittlung der Offerteninformationen.

The exemplary embodiment is described in more detail with reference to the following figures:

1 shows a block diagram of the exemplary embodiment,

2 shows a block diagram of the input module for the input of the offers,

Fig. 3 shows the data structure of the object code in the embodiment.

4 the data structure for the distribution of the auction object offers,

5 shows the data structure for the transmission of the offer information.

Fig. 1 illustrates the basic structure in a schematic manner an auction system according to the embodiment of the present Invention. Reference numeral 1 denotes a database which the Manages auction object information about the auction object offers. The Auction system further contains an offer unit 3 with an input module 30 for entering and editing the auction object offers, which as Computer program is executed, and a transmission module 40 for Distribution of the auction object offers. Can via an input terminal 31 Auction object offers can be entered. The input terminal 31 is over a communication network, e.g. a landline, for example the public one switched telephone network, an ISDN network or the Internet, or a mobile network, for example a UMTS or GSM network via e.g. WAP, with that Input module 30 connected. An auction object provider can also choose use the services of an acceptance office. The block diagram for the entry and processing of auction object offers is shown in FIG. 2 shown: In step 300, the identification data of the auction object provider detected. In step 320, the input module requests the input of a product segment and a product group (The product segments form the top hierarchy level in the object classification, the product groups the next lower hierarchy level). For this purpose it has Input module 30 access to the object classification table 12, so that the Enter a suitable product segment and a suitable product group can be selected from the object classification table 12. The input multiple product segments or product groups is also possible. The choice of product subgroups and of possible ones is also optional Subgroups are provided for the product subgroups. The step 320 corresponding part of the input module is also referred to below as Classification module called. In step 340, the Product designation and product details such as type designation, Model or vintage and step 360 allows typing of multimedia components such as Illustrations or announcements. Step 370 serves to collect information related to the auction, such as quantity, minimum price, auction end date (i.e. the time until at which auction offers can be made), action (i.e. purchase or Sale), auction process (e.g. Dutch auction or progressive Auction) and the geographical area (e.g. global, regional, national, local and where applicable with location information). The steps 300 to 370 entered data are stored in database 1. In step 380 an object code 61 is generated for each auction object offer. in the In the present exemplary embodiment, the object code 61 has the same structure like the order code in the patent application WO 98/28900 by the applicant (see Fig. 1, item 11 in WO 98/28900). Fig. 3 shows the object code 61 in Detail: The object code 61 contains the fields 611 to 618. The field 611 contains an identifier that identifies the type of object code or the service designated. The second field 613, from the first field 611 by one Field delimiter 612 separately, used to identify the provider and contains, for example, the address or an abbreviation of the provider. In a Version 613 contains the address or an abbreviation the receiving module, which the auction offers during the auction receives. The third field 615, from the second field 613 through a field delimiter 614 separated, contains the identification of the offered Auction object. Another field 617 that from field 615 through a field delimiter 616 separated contains a checksum, with the help of which the error-free transmission of the auction object information are checked can. The last field 618 is optional and can e.g. a transaction code contain. In one embodiment variant, the fields have fixed lengths, whereby the field delimiters can be dispensed with. In step 381 the Object code 61 with the auction object information entered under 310 to 370 linked and from the object code and the auction object information created a uniform offer information package 71, the Structure is shown in Fig. 4. The offer information package 71 consists of executed example from two parts. In the first part 711 are under 310 to 370 entered auction object information; the second part 712 consists of the object code 61. The transmission module 40 controls the Distribution of the offer information packets 71 on the various Telecommunication channels 41 such as DAB (especially as a PAD (Program Associated Data) or NPAD (Non Program Associated Data), DVB, Internet (preferably using push technology) and / or mobile broadcast.

The customer's communication terminal 5 has one Receiving module 50 for receiving the offer information packets 71 Filter module 51 for selection of the auction object offers and for storage the selected auction object offers and a display module 52 for selection and display of the selected auction object offers. Another module 54 has access to the object classification list 12 and enables the customer according to his interests to create object profiles. The filter module 51 selects and saves all auction object offers, the classification of which correspond to the object profile created by the customer. The customer uses, for example a communication terminal with SIM card, so the object profiles and the selected offers are saved on the SIM card or in the end device become. The customer can use the display module 52 to find one that interests him Select the offer and an auction offer in a communication terminal 5 enter. The entry is made via the quotation entry module 56, which as Computer program is executed, and includes at least one offer amount. As in the present exemplary embodiment, if the auction offer is entered uses the same device as for the display of the selected auction object offer, is already determined by the selection of a specific auction object offer. to which auction object offer the auction offer relates. Doesn't exist direct connection between the displaying communication terminal and the Input device, the customer must at least certain additional to the offer amount information contained in the auction object information and / or the Information associated with auction object information, preferably the object code 61. The offer input module 56 links the input Offer amount with at least certain in the auction object information contained information and / or associated with the auction object information Information, such as with the object code 61 and created from the Offer amount and the certain amount contained in the auction object information A uniform offer information package 81, the structure of which is shown in FIG. 5 is shown. The complete offer information package 81 consists of Four-part embodiment. The first two parts correspond to 811 and 812 the content of parts 711 and 712 in the offer information package 71 (Tell contains 712 resp. 812 the object code 61). Field 811 contains offer object information and is optional. The third part 813 contains the offer amount and the fourth part 814 Customer identification information. On customer identification specifically discussed below. The offer information package 81 is from Transmission module 58 to the reception module 80 via a telecommunications network transmitted. The transmission can e.g. as SMS or USSD message or via Internet, Internet Mobile or WAP.

The identification of the customer can be done in different ways happen: In the simplest case, the customer gives the Auction offer his name and address along with the Offer amount. The quotation entry module 56 then adds names and Address in the offer information, in the exemplary embodiment as part 814 of the offer information package 81. In one embodiment variant, the Customer to enter the auction offer a communication terminal that the Customer identification allowed, e.g. a GSM mobile phone with SIM card or a PC that is connected to the Internet. In both cases the network operator resp. Internet providers about the necessary Information to assist customers in submitting the auction offer identify and based on the participant database 2 the address of the customer to investigate. The completion of the offer information (adding of name and address of the customer) takes place in one with this variant later, e.g. in the receiving module 80 of the evaluation unit 8. In a Another embodiment can with the communication terminal, the the customer uses electronic signatures to enter the auction offer be generated. In this case, the opposite side, in this case Embodiment, the receiving module 80, via an authentication function feature. The quotation entry module 56 inserts the electronic signature as part 814 in the offer information package, and the receiving module 80 supplements part 814 with the after authentication by means of the signature Name and address of the customer. As shown in Fig. 1, the Billing address taken from the participant database 2, the Customer additionally define a delivery address and e.g. over WAP or Enter internet.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the evaluation unit 8 contains a reception module 80, an evaluation module 82 and a transaction module 84, which are designed as computer programs. The receiving module 80 supplements the offer information with additional information from the Participant database 2, e.g. Customer language or nationality. in the Evaluation module 82 evaluates and stores the auction offers. The evaluation module 82 determines the best offers and creates a ranking list and informs customers and interested viewers about the status and results the auction, e.g. via Internet query, SMS, USSD, DAB (NPAD) or DVB. The auction runs until the date specified in the auction offer. To The transaction module 84 takes over the successful or the successful auction offers for processing, buying / selling transactions. For this purpose, the transaction module 84 sends a message the outcome of the auction to the highest bidder and the Provider of the auction object offer. This can be done, for example, via SMS, USSD, WAP or Internet happen. With the confirmation of this message the actual buy-sell transaction completed.

Table 1 shows the content of the auction object information and the offer information using the example of an auction offer for a sports cart.

Claims (28)

1. Computer-based auction method, in which vendors offer for sale products, services and/or information as auction objects, auction object data (71) relating to the auction objects being captured in an input module (30) and being disseminated over telecommunication channels (41), in which auction method interested customers make auction bids for auction objects offered for sale, bid data (81) being prepared and being sent to an evaluation unit (8), and in which auction method the bid data (81) are evaluated in the evaluation unit (8) and the best bid for an auction object is determined, characterised    in that class designations based on a predefined object classification (12) are inserted into the auction object data (71),
      in that the auction object data (71) are filtered based on customer-specific object profiles by means of a filter module (51), which object profiles are drawn up based on the predefined object classification (12),
      in that the auction object data (71) are transmitted over a first telecommunication channel (41) and are received by at least one mobile communication terminal (5) of a customer,
      in that for each bid, during the preparation of the bid data (81), a bid amount entered by the customer is linked in the mobile communication terminal (5) of the customer with at least certain of the data contained in the auction object data (71) and/or data which are assigned to the auction object data (71), and
      in that the bid data (81) are assigned to an identification stored on an identification card of the mobile communication terminal (5) and are transmitted over a second telecommunication channel to the evaluation unit (8).
2. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the first and/or second telecommunication channel comprises a GSM and/or UMTS mobile radio network.
3. Method according to one of the claims 1 or 2, characterised in that the dissemination of the auction object data (71) takes place by means of the first telecommunication channel (41) via DAB/DVB.
4. Method according to one of the claims 1 to 3, wherein the auction object data (71) further contain information for identification of the vendor.
5. Method according to one of the claims 1 or 4, wherein the auction object data further contain indications about the point in time until which auction bids are able to be made.
6. Method according to one of the claims 1 to 5, wherein the auction object data (71) belonging to a particular auction object are disseminated in a data packet with uniform data structure.
7. Method according to one of the claims 1 to 6, wherein the auction object data (71) are filtered in the communication terminal (5) of the customer.
8. Method according to one of the claims 1 to 7, wherein a check sum is generated for the said auction object data (71), which check sum is transmitted together with the auction object data (71), and in which method the error-free transmission of the auction object data (71) is checked with the aid of the check sum.
9. Method according to one of the claims 1 or 8, wherein, based on the information for identification of the customer, the bid data (81) are supplemented with further customer-specific information.
10. Method according to claim 9, wherein the customer-specific information contains a billing address and/or a delivery address taken from a subscriber database of the network operator.
11. Method according to one of the claims 1 to 10, wherein the customer enters in addition a delivery address.
12. Method according to one of the claims 1 to 11, wherein the bid data (81) belonging to a particular auction bid are transmitted in a data packet with uniform data structure.
13. Method according to one of the claims 1 to 12, wherein, additionally, the customer is sent a confirmation of his auction bid.
14. Method according to one of the claims 1 to 13, wherein the bid data (81) are forwarded directly to the vendor on the basis of the information for identification of the vendor.
15. Computer-based auction system for offering for sale products, services and/or information as auction objects, which auction system comprises an offer unit (3) and an evaluation unit (5), in which offer unit (3) auction object data (71) relating to the auction objects are captured and from which offer unit (3) the auction object data (71) are disseminated over telecommunication channels (41), which auction system comprises one or more communication terminals (5) by means of which communication terminals (5) interested customers make auction bids for auction objects offered for sale, bid data (81) being prepared and being sent to the evaluation unit (8), in which evaluation unit (8) the best bid in each case for an auction object offered for sale is determined in that the bid data (81) received for an auction object are evaluated, characterised    in that the auction system comprises at least one classification module by means of which classification module class designations based on a predefined object classification are inserted into the auction object data (71),
       in that the auction system comprises at least one filter module (51) by means of which filter module (51) the auction object data (71) are filtered based on customer-specific object profiles, the object profiles being drawn up based on the predefined object classification,
       in that the at least one mobile communication terminal (5) comprises a receiving module (50) by means of which the auction object data (71) sent over a first telecommunication channel (41) are received,
       in that the at least one mobile communication terminal (5) comprises a bid input module (56) by means of which bid input module (56) a bid amount entered by the interested customer for each auction bid is linked during the preparation of the bid data (81) to at least certain data contained in the auction object data (71) and/or data assigned to the auction object data (71), and
       and <sic.> in that the bid data (81) comprise an identification stored on an identification card of the mobile communication terminal (5) which is transmitted to the evaluation unit (8) over a second telecommunication channel by means of a transmission module (58) of the at least one communication terminal (5).
16. Auction system according to claim 15, characterised in that the first and/or second telecommunication channel comprises a GSM and/or UMTS mobile radio network.
17. Auction system according to one of the claims 15 or 16, characterised in that the dissemination of the auction object data (71) takes place by means of the first telecommunication channel (41) via DAB/DVB.
18. Auction system according to one of the claims 15 or 17, characterised in that the auction object data further contain information for identification of the vendor.
19. Auction system according to one of the claims 15 or 18, characterised in that the auction object data (71) further contain data on the point in time until which auction bids are able to be made.
20. Auction system according to one of the claims 15 to 19, characterised in that it comprises means to disseminate in a data packet with uniform structure the auction object data (71) belonging to a particular auction object.
21. Auction system according to one of the claims 15 to 20, characterised in that the mobile communication terminal (5) of the customer contains a filter module (51) in order to filter the auction object data (71) in the mobile communication terminal (5) of the customer.
22. Auction system according to one of the claims 15 to 21, characterised in that the auction system comprises means for inserting additionally into the bid data information for identification of the customer.
23. Auction system according to claim 22, characterised in that the communication terminal of the customer contains an input module in order to insert additionally into the bid data an electronic signature of the customer.
24. Auction system according to one of the claims 15 to 23, characterised in that, based on the information for identification of the customer, the auction system contains means to supplement the bid data with further customer-specific information.
25. Auction system according to one of the claims 15 to 24, characterised in that the auction system contains a participant database of the network operator in order to determine the billing address for the customer.
26. Auction system according to one of the claims 15 to 25, characterised in that it comprises means to transmit the bid data (81) belonging to a particular auction bid in a data packet with uniform data structure.
27. Auction system according to one of the claims 15 to 26, characterised in that the auction system contains a server which, upon request, indicates the state of the auction.
28. Auction system according to one of the claims 15 to 27, characterised in that the auction system contains means to forward the bid data (81) directly to the vendor on the basis of the information for identification of the vendor.

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