Secure System for Conducting an Auction Over a Computer Network

Abstract

Methods and apparatus are described which provide secure interactive communication of text and image information between a central server computer and one or more client computers located at remote sites for the purpose of storing and retrieving files describing and identifying unique products. Auctions for the products may then be conducted over the system. Textual information and image data are stored separately at the location of the central server computer, requests for information regarding products to be auctioned are entered from remote terminals, and the information requested is recalled and downloaded for review to be displayed at the remote site. Bids may then be transmitted from the remote computers and a winner of the auction determined by the central computer.

1 . A method for conducting an auction of a particular item utilizing a network comprising a central computer and one or more communication links available for connecting to the central computer to parties desiring to participate in said auction, the method comprising:
 storing a compressed digital image of said item in a database associated with the central computer;   storing text associated with said item in said database;   transmitting information relative to an item to be auctioned over a communication link from the central computer to parties who may desire to participate in such auction;   receiving, at the central computer, a communication through a communication link from each party expressing a desire to participate in said auction;   transmitting said image and at least a subset of said associated text from the central computer to each said party expressing a desire to participate in said auction, through a communication link;   receiving bids for said item at the central computer, through said communication links, from said parties having expressed a desire to participate in the auction; and   transmitting a communication through a communication link to the party making the highest bid.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising:
 receiving, at the central computer, a request through a communications link, related to the existence of items associated with particular classes of items in the database;   effecting a search of the database by the central computer for information corresponding to said request and transmitting a response through a communications link; and   the central computer initiating an auction for a particular item in the database corresponding to the information request.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 receiving, at the central computer, an image of an individual associated with the party bidding on the item, the image of the individual being uploaded to the central computer through a communication link and stored in a separate transaction database in the central computer. 
 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 limiting the participation in the auction to accepting bids through any of said communication links only from users whose identities have previously been authenticated by the central computer.   
     
     
         5 . A system for conducting an auction of a particular object utilizing a network, the system comprising:
 a central computer;   one or more communication links connecting to said central computer;   an image database associated with said central computer, for storing a compressed digital image of said object;   a database for storing text associated with said object and said image in said database, the system operative to perform the following functions:
 receiving, at the central computer, communications through one or more of said communication links from parties stating a desire to participate in said auction; 
 transmitting said image and at least a subset of said associated text from the central computer through each said communication link to each party having communicated a desire to participate in the auction, such that the image and text can be viewed on a display device having a connection to said communication link; 
 receiving bids through any of the communication links having communicated a desire to participate in the auction at the central computer; and 
 transmitting a purchase confirmation communication through said communication link to each party having communicated a desire to participate in the auction, as a result of a successful bid received through said communication link. 
   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , the system further being operative to perform the following functions:
 receiving, at the central computer, a request through a communications link, said request related to the existence of objects associated with particular classes of objects in the database;   causing the central computer databases for information corresponding to said request and transmitting a response through said communications link; and   the central computer initiating an auction for a particular object in the database corresponding to the information request.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the decision concerning a successful bid is performed at a remote data terminal. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the decision regarding a successful bid is performed at the central computer. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 5 , the system further being operative to receive, at the central computer, an image of the individual purchasing the object, the image being uploaded through said communication link and stored in a separate transaction database. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , the system further being operative to perform the following function:
 receiving, at the central computer, an image of the signature of the individual purchasing the object, the image being uploaded through said communication link and stored in a separate transaction database at the central computer.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9 , the system further being operative to print, at a remote terminal connected to said communication link, a hard copy of either of the textual and image information recalled and downloaded through said communication link. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 9 , the system further being operative to limit participation in the auction to receiving bids through any of said communication links only from users who previously have been authorized to participate in the auction.