WO2005076180A1

WO2005076180A1 - Method and system of auction make use real-time auction information situation

Info

Publication number: WO2005076180A1
Application number: PCT/KR2005/000255
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tae Wan Kim
Original assignee: Tae Wan Kim
Priority date: 2004-02-03
Filing date: 2005-01-28
Publication date: 2005-08-18

Abstract

The present invention relates to an auction method and system using real-time announcement. The auction system includes a user terminal (320), a wired/wireless communication network (310) and a provider server (300). The user terminal (320) is capable of accessing a provider server and receiving user information when a wired/wireless communication network is constructed. The provider server (300) includes an input module (306), a control module (305), a bid database (302), a commodity database (301), a payment processing module (304), a first counter module (308), a second counter module (309), and a display module (307). The provider server receives participation information from the user terminal and announces in real time that a bidder, who selects a variable bid price, fluctuating because the number of bidders is inversely proportional to price due to an increase in the number of bidders, as a current price, is selected as a successful bidder.

Description

METHOD AND SYSTEM OF AUCTION MAKE USE REAL-TIME AUCTION INFORMATION SITUATION

Technical Field

The present invention relates, in general, to an auction method on on-line web sites or shopping media and, more particularly, to an auction method and system capable of transmitting current auction status in real time, which applies the total amount of participation deposits, increasing or decreasing when consumers pay participation deposits having defined maximum and minimum amounts to register as bidders for a commodity, or when consumers express their intentions to withdraw from bidding on a commodity, withdraw bids and are refunded participation deposits, to a commodity price, announces the commodity price, fluctuating in real time like the price of a stock, and determines a single successful bidder among a plurality of bidders who expresses first the intention to purchase the commodity at a commodity price at a bid time point among fluctuating commodity prices.

Background Art Generally, a bid-type draw auction method performed over the Internet allows auction participants that have paid participation deposits, obtained by equally dividing the price of a commodity to be sold by a divisor, to select numbers, the number of which corresponds to the divisor, and to participate in bidding. Further, even if the number of bidders meets the divisor, a successful bid is determined at a predetermined date by a draw. However, this method is disadvantageous in that, since participants must wait for a draw date to determine a successful bid, a transaction is not promptly performed, and in that a successful bid is not determined by the intention of a bidder himself or herself, but determined by a draw. Further, this method is problematic in that, if a bidder must be determined when the number of bidders does not meet the divisor, by which a commodity price is equally divided, by the draw date, an operator or seller must bear a corresponding loss. Further, a typical auction method of selling a commodity to the bidder offering the highest price is problematic in that bidders must wait for an auction closing time so as to determine the successful bidder, so that a transaction is not promptly performed, and is disadvantageous in that it is impossible to purchase a desired commodity at a desired low price.

Disclosure of the Invention

Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide an auction method and system, in which a provider server desiring to sell a commodity, applies the total amount of participation deposits, increasing or decreasing when bidders, having received the announcement, pay participation deposits having defined maximum and minimum amounts to register as bidders for a corresponding commodity, or when the bidders express their intentions to cancel bidding on a commodity, withdraw purchase applications and are refunded participation deposits, to a commodity price, announces the commodity price, fluctuating like the price of a stock, on the display of the provider server in real time, and determines a single successful bidder among a plurality of bidders who expresses the intention to purchase a commodity first at a commodity price at a bid time point during the announcement of the commodity price, so that the successful bidder can purchase the desired commodity at a price decreasing in proportion to the total sum of participation deposits at a time point at which a purchase is determined. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an auction system capable of transmitting current auction status in real time, comprising a user terminal capable of accessing a provider server and receiving user information after a wired/wireless communication network has been constructed; a wired/wireless communication network functioning as a medium for transmitting and receiving information between the user terminal and the provider server; and the provider server including an input module for receiving data, such as highest and lowest prices, quantity, auction time and price variation of each commodity, a control module for controlling an entire system to determine a successful bid in real time at a suitable commodity price on the basis of data received from a plurality of client terminals, a bid database for storing bid information including a bid price of each commodity, a commodity database for storing commodity information including highest and lowest bid prices and a sale quantity of each commodity, a payment processing module for processing a bid participation deposit and payment for a successfully bid-on commodity, a first counter module for counting the quantity of commodities to be sold by a bid, a second counter module for counting the quantity of commodities that can be sold and the quantity of sold commodities, and a display module for visually displaying auction information in real time, the provider server receiving participation information from the user terminal and announcing in real time that a bidder, who selects a variable bid price, fluctuating because the number of bidders is inversely proportional to price information due to an increase in the number of bidders, as a current price, is selected as a successful bidder, wherein the provider server includes a web page linked thereto to display current auction status for each sale cornrnodity in real time, wherein the real-time announcement is performed to visualize specific commodity information (image and description, place of origin and place of manufacture) , bidder information (the number of members participating in bidding) , price information (price variation of a specific commodity) , bid time information (auction start time, elapsed time, and closing time for each commodity) , successful bid information (a successful bidder and a successful bid price), etc., and wherein the auction information includes current auction status information, such as image and description, place of origin and place of manufacture of a specific commodity, the number of members participating in bidding, price variation of a specific commodity, auction start time, elapsed time and closing time for a specific commodity, and a successful bid price. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an auction method capable of transmitting current auction status in real time, comprising a first step of performing auction announcement using information about commodities that can be sold by auction and price information about the commodities on a web site; a second step of receiving participation information about a plurality of bidders through the first step; a third step of confirming the participation information, including participation deposits, received from the plurality of bidders; a fourth step of assigning qualification to purchase a commodity to a bidder who bids for a commodity item within a bid time and first inputs information about an intention to purchase the commodity at a variable bid price; a fifth step of announcing in real time that a bidder, who selects a variable bid price, fluctuating because the number of bidders is inversely proportional to price information due to an increase in the number of bidders, as a current price, is selected as a successful bidder; and a step of approving sale to allow an unsuccessful bidder to purchase a bid-on commodity at a group buying price, the bid-on commodity being sold at the group buying price within at least 12 hours in an auction closing time when a predetermined quantity of commodities to be sold at a price to which participation deposits have been applied is exhausted, from a point at which the bidders pay the participation deposits, wherein the variable bid price announced in real time at the third step is announced after a commodity price becomes lower than an initial commodity price by 10 to 20%. Preferably, the auction announcement at the first step may comprise the step of deducting participation deposits from a bid price, input by a successful bidder, and announcing an appearance of a successful bidder and a final commodity price. Preferably, the participation information at the second step may comprise at least one of a name, a resident registration number, a delivery address, an ID and a participation deposit of each bidder. Preferably, the participation information at the second step may comprise a participation deposit that is price information, which is defined as a specific fixed amount and is not refunded, or a participation deposit that is price information, which is arbitrarily designated and is refunded when a bidder withdraws. Preferably, the fifth step may be performed to pay an amount corresponding to a certain multiple of the participation deposit paid by the plurality of bidders to a selected bidder, who has selected additional commodity information together with commodity price information, on the basis of initial announcement items . Preferably, the real-time announcement at the fifth step may further comprise an announcement that an unsuccessful bidder can purchase a commodity at a group buying price that is a lower purchase price. Preferably, the group buying price may be implemented to allow a bidder, having paid a participation deposit, to purchase a commodity at the group buying price only when the bidder is registered as a participant.

Brief Description of the Drawings

FIG. 1 is a flowchart of a process of performing an auction method capable of transmitting current auction status in real time according to the present invention; FIG. 2 is a flowchart of an auction method capable of transmitting current auction status in real time according to the present invention; FIG. 3 is a view showing the construction of an auction system capable of transmitting current auction status in real time according to the present invention; and FIG. 3a is a view showing the construction of a provider server of the auction system capable of transmitting current auction status in real time according to the present invention. description of reference characters of important parts> 300: provider server 301: commodity database 302: bid database 303: sale database 304: payment processing module 305: control module 306: input module 307: display module 308: first counter module 309: second counter module 310: wired/wireless communication network 320: plurality of terminals

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings . FIG. 1 is a flowchart of a process of performing an auction method capable of transmitting current auction status in real time according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, auction announcement is performed in such a way that information about commodity items for auction on online web sites and the price information thereof are announced on a web page at step S100. Participation information about a plurality of bidders is received by a provider server at step S110. Participation information, including participation deposits received from the plurality of bidders, is confirmed at step S120. Qualification to purchase a commodity is given to a bidder who bids for a commodity item within a bid period and first inputs information about the intention to purchase at a variable bid price at step S130. It is announced in real time that a bidder, who selects a variable bid price, fluctuating because the number of bidders is inversely proportional to the price due to an increase in the number of bidders, as a current price, is selected as a successful bidder at step S140. FIG. 2 is a flowchart of an auction method capable of transmitting current auction status in real time according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, a shopping mall operator establishes a shopping mall on a web site or shopping medium and determines commodities that can be sold through market research at step S200. The shopping mall operator calculates an initial commodity price of each determined commodity along with a seller at step S201. A suitable participation deposit to be paid by a bidder is calculated on the basis of the calculated initial commodity price at step S203. The determined sale commodity, the initial price of commodity, the maximum and minimum amounts of a participation deposit, additional deduction of the paid participation deposit from the initial commodity price (a final commodity price obtained by deducting the participation deposits from the commodity price at the point at which a purchase decision is made), etc., are announced through a web site or shopping medium at step S205. A transaction is performed in a closed bid manner until the commodity price, decreasing due to the application of the participation deposit to the commodity price by the participation of bidders, becomes lower than the initial commodity price by 10 to 20%. In addition, it is announced that additional commodities are available for sale to allow a first bidder and a bidder having a specific applicant ranking to receive a certain multiple of the participation deposit or receive a certain gift so as to induce bidders to actively participate in bidding at step S205. If consumers desiring to purchase a commodity due to the promotion of the commodity calculate a participation deposit having defined maximum and minimum amounts and pay the participation deposit in various manners (by cyber money, cash, credit card, etc.) at step S207, it is determined whether the paid participation deposit is suitable for an announced participation deposit prior to the processing of payment at step S209. If the determination results are normal, payment is processed, a corresponding consumer is registered as a bidder (if a bidder withdraws, part of the participation deposit is refunded to the withdrawing bidder and the withdrawal is processed) at step S211. In this case, if the determination results are abnormal, payment is denied, and the cause of payment denial is immediately made known to a purchase applicant according to current transaction status at the point at which a participation deposit can be paid at step S213. It is asked whether it is possible to pay a participation deposit again according to a defined rule at step S215. If payment is possible, the applicant is registered as a bidder at the same time that payment is processed at step S211, while if payment is not possible, payment is not processed and the applicant is not registered as a bidder at step S217. As described above, bidders appear, and part of the paid participation deposits are retained by a shopping mall operator, and the remaining part is applied to a commodity price. The amount of money obtained by deducting the remaining part of the participation deposits from the initial commodity price is determined to be the commodity price at that time (in contrast, if a withdrawing bidder appears, a refund generated for the withdrawing bidder is added to the commodity price) at step S219. A successful bidder who earned an additional commodity is disclosed at the same time that the commodity price is announced at step S223 after the commodity price first becomes lower than the initial commodity price by 10 to 20% due to the repetitive participation of bidders at step S221. Further, if one bidder first expresses his or her intention to purchase a commodity at the first bid price while the commodity price fluctuates at step S225, the amount of participation deposit paid by the purchase applicant is additionally deducted from the commodity price and a final commodity price is calculated at step S227. The appearance of a successful bidder and the final commodity price are announced at step S229. Even if the first expression of intent to purchase occurs when the commodity price is not lower than the initial commodity price by 10 to 20% and a transaction is progressing with the current price of the sale commodity being closed, the final commodity price is determined as described above at step S227. The appearance of a purchaser and the final commodity price are announced at step S229. It is determined whether the bidder is a successful bidder at step S230. If the bidder is a successful bidder, the process proceeds to a stage A. The opportunity to purchase a commodity at a group buying price is provided to unsuccessful bidders who cannot purchase the commodity at a successful bid price at step S232, so that the opportunity to purchase the commodity at a price lower than a commercial price or bid price is given to bidders. It is determined whether an unsuccessful bidder will purchase a corresponding commodity at step S234. If the intention of the unsuccessful bidder to purchase the commodity is confirmed, the process proceeds to the stage A, while if the intention to purchase the commodity is not confirmed, the process ends. Finally, if the purchaser pays the final commodity price at step S231, payment is processed at step S233, and the commodity is delivered. Additionally, the bidder who has selected and earned the additional commodity is refunded a certain multiple of the participation deposit in the form of cash, cyber money or a gift as announced at the time of initially promoting the commodity at step S235. FIG. 3 is a view showing the construction of an auction system capable of transmitting current auction status in real time according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the auction system includes a plurality of user terminals 320, a wired/wireless communication network 310, and a provider server 300 including a commodity database 301, a bid database 302, a sale database 303, a payment processing module 304, a control module 305, an input module 306, a display module 307, a first counter module 308 and a second counter module 309. Each of the user terminals 320 is a communication device capable of accessing the provider server 300 through the wired/wireless communication network 310 and performing a transaction. For example, communication devices, such as a wired telephone, a mobile communication terminal, a computer, an Internet enabled television or a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) , can be used as the user terminals and can access the provider server 300. The commodity database 301 stores therein information about all commodities that can be sold through the provider server 300. Information about commodity names and commodity consumers is stored in the commodity database in relation to commodity codes that are assigned to commodities. In addition, various pieces of commodity information, such as the quantity of commodities that can be sold, the features of commodities, seller information, a bid period and delivery information, are stored in the commodity database. The bid database 302 stores therein bid information including bid prices (highest bid price and lowest bid price) of each commodity to be provided to purchasers through the wired/wireless communication network 310, with respect to each commodity code. Respective bid prices that are bid by purchasers are stored in relation to the commodity codes. The number of bids, indicating the number of purchasers having bid each bid price, and bidder identification numbers (purchaser IDs and resident registration numbers) are stored in relation to commodity codes. Further, information, such as a bid time, a bid date, payment information about a bidder (a credit card number, a bank account number, etc.), the number of bids by a bidder on a corresponding commodity, or the contact address of a bidder, can be stored in relation to each bidder identification number. The sale database 303 stores therein information about sellers desiring to provide commodities to purchasers through the provider server 300, which may be, for example, seller names, contact addresses, commodity information handled by sellers (commodity codes, types), etc. The payment processing module 304 functions to process a bid participation deposit and payment for a successfully bid-on commodity on the basis of payment information about bidders. The display module 307 functions to display current auction status in real time, thus transmitting continuous auction information to bidders. The first counter module 308 counts the quantity of bid- on commodities according to the fluctuation of prices at regular intervals. The second counter module 309 counts the quantity of commodities that can be sold, the quantity of sold commodities, and the accumulated quantity of bid-on commodities. The input module 306 is a key input unit for inputting and setting highest and lowest prices, quantities, auction time limits and price variations of required commodities so as to determine a successful bid in real time at a suitable commodity price . The control module 305 controls the entire operation of the device to determine a successful bid in real time at a suitable commodity price on the basis of the data received from the key input module and the plurality of bidders. FIG. 3a is a view showing the construction of the provider server of the auction system capable of transmitting current auction status in real time according to the present invention. Client data including the quantity of commodities, a commodity specification, a delivery address, etc. are stored in the commodity database 301 of the provider server 300. The bid database 302 storing bid information, including a bid price with respect to each commodity, is included in the provider server 300. The sale database 303 storing information about seller names, contact addresses thereof, commodity information handled by sellers (commodity codes, types), etc. is included in the provider server 300. The payment processing module 304 for processing the bid participation deposits of bidders and payment for a successfully bid-on commodity by a successful bidder is included in the provider server 300. The first counter module 308 counts the quantity of bid-on commodities in relation to the bid database 302. The second counter module 309 counts the quantity of commodities that can be sold and the quantity of sold commodities in relation to the sale database 303. The input module 306 receives data, such as the highest and lowest prices, quantity, auction time and price variation of each commodity, in relation to the commodity database 301, the bid database 302 and the sale database 303. The display module 307 functions to visually display pieces of information, such as the image and description, the place of origin and the place of manufacture of a specific commodity, the number of members participating in bidding for a specific commodity, the price variation, an auction closing time and bid price of a specific commodity, in current auction status under the control of the control module 305. The control module 305 controls the storage state of the plurality of databases 301, 302 and 303, the setting status of the first and second counter modules 308 and 309, and the data received from the input module 306, in relation to current auction status so as to determine a successful bid in real time at a suitable commodity price on the basis of data received from a plurality of client terminals, and controls the current status of information displayed on a web page.

An auction method capable of transmitting current auction status in real time according to a second embodiment of the present invention is described.

The bid price is a variable price fluctuating with the number of clients who have paid a presented participation deposit of 2,000 won so as to allow the clients to be registered as bidders. Client 'A' is registered as a bidder by paying a participation deposit of 2,000 won. Further, client 'B' pays a participation deposit and becomes a bidder in the same manner as client 'A'. First, a commodity price is determined to be 46,000 won, obtained by deducting the sum of participation deposits of clients A' and *B' , that is, 4,000 won, from the bid price. Further, clients C , ^λD' , ⁴E' , ^λF' , and G' each pay a participation deposit of 2,000 won and are registered as bidders in the same manner. At this time, the bid price decreases to 36,000 won obtained by deducting the sum of participation deposits of the clients, that is, 14,000 won (this is the sum of participation deposits of clients ^XA' , B' , 'C , ^XD' , E' , ^χ F' and 'G'), from the initial bid price. In this way, if a period in which only purchases are accepted is reached while the bid price is decreased in real time by predetermined participation deposits as the number of bidders increases, the opportunity to be a bidder is not provided any longer, and the opportunity to purchase one item of the commodity at the bid price of 36,000 won is equally provided only to the seven clients 'A', ^λB' , C , ^λD' , Ε' , ^λF' and G' who have already paid participation deposits and have been registered as bidders. In detail, if client ⁴C first expresses the intention to purchase one item of the commodity, client ^ΛC can additionally pay the bid price of 36,000 and purchase the commodity. Of course, if a client, expressing the intention to purchase the commodity, does not appear for the purchase acceptance period, a period during which a new bidder can pay a participation deposit and be registered as a bidder is given, and the opportunity to allow a new bidder to participate in bidding is provided. This process is repeated until an announced quantity of commodities to be sold at a bid price is exhausted. Further, if clients, expressing the intention to purchase a commodity, appear like the bidder 'C and all commodities to be sold at the bid price have been sold, the remaining clients 'A', *B' , 'D' , *E' , *F' and ^XG' , who cannot purchase the commodity at the bid price, may purchase the commodity at the group buying price of 40,000 won. At this time, since the six remaining clients 'A', 'B' , 'D' , Ε' , 'F' and ^XG' who are not successful bidders have already invested the participation deposit of 2,000 won, their desire to purchase the commodity increases, unlike a typical group buying method conducted without a deposit . The above description is only an embodiment of an auction method and system using real-time announcement according to the present invention. The present invention is not limited to the embodiment, and the technical spirit of the present invention will reside in a range in which various modifications can be performed by those skilled in the art, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims .

Industrial Applicability

As described above, the present invention is advantageous in that it allows a bidder to purchase a commodity at his or her desire at any time from an announcement point at which the sale of commodities is possible, without waiting for auction closure to determine a purchaser. Further, the present invention is advantageous in that a purchase is determined by the intention of a bidder, and a purchaser can purchase a desired commodity at a lower price on the basis of the total amount of participation deposits at a purchase determination time point. Further, from the standpoint of a provider, the provider can also provide the opportunity to purchase a commodity at a price lower than a commercial price or bid price to unsuccessful bidders if the provider sells commodities to bidders at a group buying price in a small profits and quick returns manner, so that the provider can increase the overall profit margin compared to the conventional case in which commodities are sold only at a group buying price, while providing sufficient satisfaction to purchasers . Further, the present invention is advantageous in that it utilizes the fact that a real-time transaction is possible from a purchase registration point, so that TV home shopping is activated, and in that it utilizes the auction method as a sale method in TV home shopping malls, the sales volume of which is currently decreasing compared to Internet shopping malls, thus widely accommodating clients and consequently maximizing profits .

Claims

1. An auction system capable of transmitting current auction status in real time in an electronic commerce system over the Internet, comprising: a user terminal capable of accessing a provider server and receiving user information after a wired/wireless communication network has been constructed; a wired/wireless communication network functioning as a medium for transmitting and receiving information between the user terminal and the provider server; and the provider server including an input module for receiving data, such as highest and lowest prices, quantity, auction time and price variation of each commodity, a control module for controlling an entire system to determine a successful bid in real time at a suitable commodity price on the basis of data received from a plurality of client terminals, a bid database for storing bid information including a bid price of each commodity, a commodity database for storing commodity information including highest and lowest bid prices and a sale quantity of each commodity, a payment processing module for processing a bid participation deposit and payment for a successfully bid-on commodity, a first counter module for counting the quantity of commodities to be sold by a bid, a second counter module for counting the quantity of commodities that can be sold and the quantity of sold commodities, and a display module for visually displaying auction information in real time, the provider server receiving participation information from the user terminal and announcing in real time that a bidder, who selects a variable bid price, fluctuating because the number of bidders is inversely proportional to price information due to an increase in the number of bidders, as a current price, is selected as a successful bidder, wherein the provider server includes a web page linked thereto to display current auction status for each sale commodity in real time, wherein the real-time announcement is performed to visualize specific commodity information (image and description, place of origin and place of manufacture) , bidder information (the number of members participating in bidding) , price information (price variation of a specific commodity) , bid time information (auction start time, elapsed time, and closing time for each commodity) , successful bid information (a successful bidder and a successful bid price), etc., and wherein the auction information includes current auction status information, such as image and description, place of origin and place of manufacture of a specific commodity, the number of members participating in bidding, price variation of a specific commodity, auction start time, elapsed time and closing time for a specific commodity, and a successful bid price .

2. An online auction method capable of transmitting current auction status in real time, the auction method being conducted over the Internet, comprising: a) a first step of performing auction announcement using information about commodities that can be sold by auction and price information about the commodities on a web site; b) a second step of receiving participation information about a plurality of bidders through the first step; c) a third step of confirming the participation information, including participation deposits, received from the plurality of bidders; d) a fourth step of assigning qualification to purchase a commodity to a bidder who bids for a commodity item within a bid time and first inputs information about an intention to purchase the commodity at a variable bid price; e) a fifth step of announcing in real time that a bidder, who selects a variable bid price, fluctuating because the number of bidders is inversely proportional to price information due to an increase in the number of bidders, as a current price, is selected as a successful bidder; and f) a step of approving sale to allow an unsuccessful bidder to purchase a bid-on commodity at a group buying price, the bid-on commodity being sold at the group buying price within at least 12 hours from an auction closing time when a predetermined quantity of commodities to be sold at a price to which participation deposits have been applied is exhausted, from a point at which the bidders pay the participation deposits, wherein the variable bid price announced in real time at the third step is announced after a commodity price becomes lower than an initial commodity price by 10 to 20%.

3. The auction method according to claim 2 , wherein the auction announcement at the first step comprises the step of deducting participation deposits from a bid price, input by a successful bidder, and announcing an appearance of a successful bidder and a final commodity price.

4. The auction method according to claim 2 , wherein the participation information at the second step comprises at least one of a name, a resident registration number, a delivery address, an ID and a participation deposit of each bidder.

5. The auction method according to claim 2, wherein the participation information at the second step comprises a participation deposit that is price information, which is defined as a specific fixed amount and is not refunded, or a participation deposit that is price information, which is arbitrarily designated and is refunded when a bidder withdraws .

6. The auction method according to claim 2, wherein the fifth step is performed to pay an amount corresponding to a certain multiple of the participation deposit paid by the plurality of bidders to a selected bidder, who has selected additional commodity information together with commodity price information, on the basis of initial announcement items.

7. The auction method according to claim 2 , wherein the real-time announcement at the fifth step further comprises an announcement that an unsuccessful bidder can purchase a commodity at a group buying price that is a lower purchase price.

8. The auction method according to claim 7, wherein the group buying price is implemented to allow a bidder, having paid a participation deposit, to purchase a commodity at the group buying price only when the bidder is registered as a participant .