Method, apparatus, and system for bidding in rounds

Abstract

A method of conducting an auction in at least two rounds is disclosed. The method includes conducting the first auction round, applying a rule to an occurrence in the first auction round, and conducting the second auction round in accordance with the application of the rule to the occurrence in the first auction round. A system for conducting an auction in at least two rounds is also disclosed. The system includes a sponsor processor, a first bidder processor communicating with the sponsor processor, and a second bidder processor communicating with the sponsor processor. In the system, the sponsor processor contains instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to conduct the first auction round, apply a rule to an occurrence in the first auction round, and conduct a second auction round in accordance with the applied rule.

1 . A method of conducting an auction, comprising:
 defining, prior to a first auction, a rule for a second auction based at least in part on user input, the rule limiting participation of bidders in the second auction based on an occurrence in the first auction;   conducting the first auction; and   conducting the second auction in accordance with an application of the rule to an occurrence in the first auction.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the occurrence includes an outcome of the first auction. 
   
   
       3 . (canceled) 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the rule includes selecting at least two leading bidders from the first auction. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the rule includes permitting only the at least two leading bidders to participate in the second auction. 
   
   
       6 . (canceled) 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the rule includes not permitting a winning bidder of the first auction to participate in the second auction. 
   
   
       8 . (canceled) 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the bidders are electronically coupled to an auction coordinator during the conducting of the first and second auctions. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the bidders submit bids to the auction coordinator online during the conducting of the first and second auctions. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first auction is a reverse auction. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first auction is a forward auction. 
   
   
       13 . (canceled) 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the rule includes permitting only bidders bidding less than a predetermined amount in the first auction to participate in the second auction. 
   
   
       15 - 29 . (canceled) 
   
   
       30 . A system for conducting an auction, comprising:
 a processor configured to:
 define, prior to a first auction, a rule for a second auction based at least in part on user input, the rule limiting participation of bidders in the second auction based on an occurrence in the first auction; 
 conduct the first auction; and 
 conduct the second auction in accordance with an application of the rule to an occurrence in the first auction; and 
   a memory coupled to the processor and configured to provide the processor with instructions.   
   
   
       31 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the occurrence includes an outcome of the first auction. 
   
   
       32 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the rule includes selecting at least two leading bidders from the first auction. 
   
   
       33 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the rule includes not permitting a winning bidder of the first auction to participate in the second auction. 
   
   
       34 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the first auction is a reverse auction. 
   
   
       35 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the first auction is a forward auction. 
   
   
       36 . A computer program product for conducting an auction, the computer program product being embodied in a tangible computer readable storage medium and comprising computer instructions for:
 defining, prior to a first auction, a rule for a second auction based at least in part on user input, the rule limiting participation of bidders in the second auction based on an occurrence in the first auction;   conducting the first auction; and   conducting the second auction in accordance with an application of the rule to an occurrence in the first auction.   
   
   
       37 . The computer program product of  claim 36 , wherein the occurrence includes an outcome of the first auction. 
   
   
       38 . The computer program product of  claim 36 , wherein the rule includes not permitting a winning bidder of the first auction to participate in the second auction. 
   
   
       39 . The computer program product of  claim 36 , wherein the rule includes permitting only bidders bidding less than a predetermined amount in the first auction to participate in the second auction.