Systems and Methods for Conducting On-Line Auctions

摘要

The present invention includes systems and methods for conducting an auction over a computer network, the computer network being connectable to a plurality of computers, the method comprising storing on a network accessible storage device descriptions of lots with or without common characteristics to be auctioned; scheduling via a network accessible computer a bid deadline; transmitting via the network accessible computer the bid deadline to the computers connected to the computer network; allowing a bid to be placed from one of the computers connected to the computer network before the bid deadline; defining a bid deadline extension triggering condition dependent on at least the number of bids being placed before the bid deadline; determining whether the extension triggering condition has been met; and extending the bid deadline when the extension triggering condition is met for an individual lot or simultaneously for a plurality of lots.