Method of transformational bidding with rebates and discounts

Abstract

A method of transforming bidding with rebates and discounts in an electronic auction using a system and machine readable medium, the method including receiving a first bid from a first bidder and a second bid from a second bidder, wherein at least one of a rebate and discount is offered with at least one of the first and second bids, assigning a first value and a first unit of measurement for the first bid and a second value and second unit of measurement for the second bid, and transforming the first and second values to third and fourth values, respectively, having a standard unit of measurement. The system has a database for receiving and storing bid information, including rebates and discounts, from at least one bidder and software for transforming bid information into values having a standard unit of measure. The machine readable medium has a first machine readable code that receives bid information from a bidder, a second machine readable code that receives at least one of a rebate and discount from the bidder, a third machine readable code that generates a transformed bid using the bid information and the at least one of the rebate and discount, and a fourth readable code that transmits the transformed bid information to an auction server to generate a relative comparison of bids on a common competitive basis.

1 - 25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . A method of transforming bids comprising:
 receiving a first bid from a first bidder and a second bid from a second bidder, wherein at least one of a rebate and discount is offered with at least one of the first and second bids;   assigning a first value and a first unit of measurement for the first bid and a second value and second unit of measurement for the second bid using in part the at least one of a rebate and a discount offered; and   transforming the first and second values to third and fourth values, respectively, having a standard unit of measurement.   
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26  wherein the transforming comprises:
 determining a first transformation factor for the first value;   determining a second transformation factor for the second value; and   converting the first value using the first transformation factor and the second value using the second transformation factor.   
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 26  wherein the transforming comprises:
 performing a linear transformation for the first and second values having at least one of a multiplicative adjustment and an additive adjustment.   
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 27  wherein the transforming comprises:
 multiplying the first value by the first transformation factor and the second value by the second transformation factor.   
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 27  wherein the determining comprises:
 searching on a look-up table for the first and second transformation factors; and   retrieving the first and second transformation factors in accordance with the search.   
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 27  wherein the determining comprises:
 identifying a first set of transformation variables for the first value and a second set of transformation variables for the second value;   specifying a first transformation function to derive the standard unit of measurement using the first value and the first set of transformation variables and a second transformation function to derive the standard unit of measurement using the second value and the second set of transformation variables;   receiving a value for each of the first set of transformation variables and the second set of transformation variables; and   calculating the first transformation factor using the received values and the first transformation function and the second transformation factor using the received values and the second transformation function.   
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 26  further comprising:
 receiving at least one additional bid having an additional value from at least one additional bidder; and   transforming the additional value to a converted value having the standard unit of measurement.   
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 26  further comprising conducting the auction as a reverse auction. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 26  further comprising conducting the auction as a forward auction. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 26  further comprising soliciting potential bidders. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35  wherein the soliciting comprises:
 preparing a request for quotation;   providing the request for quotation to potential bidders; and   requesting the potential bidders to respond to the request for quotation.   
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36  wherein the requesting comprises identifying goods to be purchased. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37  wherein the requesting comprises identifying services to be purchased. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 26  wherein the transforming comprises determining the standard unit of measurement according to a buyer comparative bid parameter. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 26  further comprising:
 detransforming the third value to a fifth value having the second unit of measurement;   detransforming the fourth value to a sixth value having the first unit of measurement; and   transmitting the fifth value to the second bidder and the sixth value to the first bidder.   
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 26  further comprising:
 comparing the third and fourth values; and   ranking the third value with respect to the fourth value.   
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 41  further comprising displaying the ranking to a buyer. 
     
     
         43 . A system for transforming bids, comprising:
 a processor configured to:
 receive a first bid from a first bidder and a second bid from a second bidder, wherein at least one of a rebate and discount is offered with at least one of the first and second bids; 
 assign a first value and a first unit of measurement for the first bid and a second value and second unit of measurement for the second bid using in part the at least one of a rebate and a discount offered; and 
 transform the first and second values to third and fourth values, respectively, having a standard unit of measurement; and 
   a memory coupled to the processor and configured to provide the processor with instructions.   
     
     
         44 . The system of  claim 43  wherein the transforming comprises:
 determining a first transformation factor for the first value;   determining a second transformation factor for the second value; and   converting the first value using the first transformation factor and the second value using the second transformation factor.   
     
     
         45 . The system of  claim 43  wherein the transforming comprises:
 performing a linear transformation for the first and second values having at least one of a multiplicative adjustment and an additive adjustment.   
     
     
         46 . The system of  claim 45  wherein the transforming comprises:
 multiplying the first value by the first transformation factor and the second value by the second transformation factor.   
     
     
         47 . The system of  claim 45  wherein the determining comprises:
 searching on a look-up table for the first and second transformation factors; and   retrieving the first and second transformation factors in accordance with the search.   
     
     
         48 . The system of  claim 45  wherein the determining comprises:
 identifying a first set of transformation variables for the first value and a second set of transformation variables for the second value;   specifying a first transformation function to derive the standard unit of measurement using the first value and the first set of transformation variables and a second transformation function to derive the standard unit of measurement using the second value and the second set of transformation variables;   receiving a value for each of the first set of transformation variables and the second set of transformation variables; and   calculating the first transformation factor using the received values and the first transformation function and the second transformation factor using the received values and the second transformation function.   
     
     
         49 . The system of  claim 43  further comprising:
 receiving at least one additional bid having an additional value from at least one additional bidder; and   transforming the additional value to a converted value having the standard unit of measurement.   
     
     
         50 . A computer program product for transforming bids, the computer program product being embodied in a computer readable medium and comprising computer instructions for:
 receiving a first bid from a first bidder and a second bid from a second bidder, wherein at least one of a rebate and discount is offered with at least one of the first and second bids;   assigning a first value and a first unit of measurement for the first bid and a second value and second unit of measurement for the second bid using in part the at least one of a rebate and a discount offered; and   transforming the first and second values to third and fourth values, respectively, having a standard unit of measurement.