Title:
Method for reposting a good for sale using a consignment node
United States Patent 7831477
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for creating a computerized market for used and collectible goods by allowing the electronic present of goods from one market to another in a trusted network, allowing the electronic auctioning of goods, enabling an electronic agent to search the markets for locate a good, and enabling an electronic agent to search for the owner of a hard to find good.
Inventors:
Woolston, Thomas G. (Arlington, VA, US)
Application Number:
10/824322
Publication Date:
11/09/2010
Filing Date:
04/13/2004
Export Citation:
Click for automatic bibliography generation
Assignee:
eBay Inc. (San Jose, CA, US)
Primary Class:
International Classes:
G06F17/30; G06Q20/10; G06Q20/12; G06Q30/06; G06Q30/08
Field of Search:
705/400, 705/1, 705/26-27, 705/37
View Patent Images:
Download PDF 7831477
US Patent References:
6427132 | System, method and article of manufacture for demonstrating E-commerce capabilities via a simulation on a network | July, 2002 | Bowman-Amuah | |
6415270 | Multiple auction coordination method and system | July, 2002 | Rackson et al. | |
6397212 | Self-learning and self-personalizing knowledge search engine that delivers holistic results | May, 2002 | Biffar | |
6377937 | Method and system for more effective communication of characteristics data for products and services | April, 2002 | Paskowitz | |
6336138 | Template-driven approach for generating models on network services | January, 2002 | Caswell et al. | |
6336105 | System and method for representing data and providing electronic non-repudiation in a negotiations system | January, 2002 | Conklin et al. | |
6292786 | Method and system for generating incentives based on substantially real-time product purchase information | September, 2001 | Deaton et al. | |
6282516 | Process, system and computer readable medium for in-store printing of discount coupons and/or other purchasing incentives in various departments within a retail store | August, 2001 | Giuliani | |
6272474 | Method for monitoring and trading stocks via the internet displaying bid/ask trade bars | August, 2001 | Garcia | |
6266651 | Facilitating electronic commerce through two-tiered electronic markets and auctions | July, 2001 | Woolston | |
6259699 | System architecture for and method of processing packets and/or cells in a common switch | July, 2001 | Opalka et al. | |
6205432 | Background advertising system | March, 2001 | Gabbard et al. | |
6202051 | Facilitating internet commerce through internetworked auctions | March, 2001 | Woolston | |
6185683 | Trusted and secure techniques, systems and methods for item delivery and execution | February, 2001 | Ginter et al. | |
6061660 | System and method for incentive programs and award fulfillment | May, 2000 | Eggleston et al. | |
6055573 | Communicating with a computer based on an updated purchase behavior classification of a particular consumer | April, 2000 | Gardenswartz et al. | |
6055516 | Electronic sourcing system | April, 2000 | Johnson et al. | |
6049785 | Open network payment system for providing for authentication of payment orders based on a confirmation electronic mail message | April, 2000 | Gifford | |
6029141 | Internet-based customer referral system | February, 2000 | Bezos et al. | |
5999915 | Computerized, multimedia, network, real time, interactive marketing and transactional system | 1999-12-07 | Nahan et al. | 705/27 |
6006201 | Electronic on-line motor vehicle auction and information system | December, 1999 | Berent et al. | |
5991739 | Internet online order method and apparatus | November, 1999 | Cupps et al. | |
5987425 | Variable margin pricing system | November, 1999 | Hartman et al. | |
5946467 | Application-level, persistent packeting apparatus and method | August, 1999 | Pathakis et al. | |
5933813 | Sales promotion data processor system and interactive changeable display particularly useful therein | August, 1999 | Teicher et al. | |
5926794 | Visual rating system and method | July, 1999 | Fethe | |
5922074 | Method of and apparatus for providing secure distributed directory services and public key infrastructure | July, 1999 | Richard et al. | |
5915209 | Bond trading system | June, 1999 | Lawrence | |
5905975 | Computer implemented methods and apparatus for auctions | May, 1999 | Ausubel | |
5905974 | Automated auction protocol processor | May, 1999 | Fraser et al. | |
5903647 | Self-launching encrypted digital information distribution system | May, 1999 | Ronning | |
5896379 | Network node for packet switching with selective data processing and method therefor | April, 1999 | Haber | |
5890138 | Computer auction system | March, 1999 | Godin et al. | |
5884056 | Method and system for video browsing on the world wide web | March, 1999 | Steele | |
5878423 | Dynamically processing an index to create an ordered set of questions | March, 1999 | Anderson et al. | |
5878400 | Method and apparatus for pricing products in multi-level product and organizational groups | March, 1999 | Carter, III | |
5873099 | System and method for maintaining redundant databases | 1999-02-16 | Hogan et al. | 707/204 |
5873069 | System and method for automatic updating and display of retail prices | February, 1999 | Reuhl et al. | |
5872848 | Method and apparatus for witnessed authentication of electronic documents | February, 1999 | Romney et al. | |
5870717 | System for ordering items over computer network using an electronic catalog | February, 1999 | Wiecha | |
5870552 | Method and apparatus for publishing hypermedia documents over wide area networks | February, 1999 | Dozier et al. | |
5864823 | Integrated virtual telecommunication system for E-commerce | January, 1999 | Levitan | |
5854833 | Processing using DEF records | 1998-12-29 | Hogan et al. | 379/114.14 |
5852809 | System and method for routing data and communications | 1998-12-22 | Abel et al. | 705/26 |
5850442 | Secure world wide electronic commerce over an open network | December, 1998 | Muftic | |
5845266 | Crossing network utilizing satisfaction density profile with price discovery features | December, 1998 | Lupien et al. | |
5845265 | Consignment nodes | December, 1998 | Woolston | |
5842040 | Policy caching method and apparatus for use in a communication device based on contents of one data unit in a subset of related data units | November, 1998 | Hughes et al. | |
5838906 | Distributed hypermedia method for automatically invoking external application providing interaction and display of embedded objects within a hypermedia document | November, 1998 | Doyle et al. | |
5835896 | Method and system for processing and transmitting electronic auction information | November, 1998 | Fisher et al. | |
5832459 | Computerized source searching system and method for use in an order entry system | November, 1998 | Cameron et al. | |
5826244 | Method and system for providing a document service over a computer network using an automated brokered auction | October, 1998 | Huberman | |
5818914 | Auction information transmission processing system | October, 1998 | Fujisaki | |
5809144 | Method and apparatus for purchasing and delivering digital goods over a network | September, 1998 | Sirbu et al. | |
5803500 | Method and kit for conducting an auction | September, 1998 | Mossberg | |
5794220 | Method and means for ranking and pricing items | 1998-08-11 | Hunt | 705/40 |
5799285 | Secure system for electronic selling | August, 1998 | Klingman | |
5794219 | Method of conducting an on-line auction with bid pooling | August, 1998 | Brown | |
5794210 | Attention brokerage | August, 1998 | Goldhaber et al. | |
5794207 | Method and apparatus for a cryptographically assisted commercial network system designed to facilitate buyer-driven conditional purchase offers | August, 1998 | Walker et al. | |
5778367 | Automated on-line information service and directory, particularly for the world wide web | July, 1998 | Wesinger et al. | |
5774873 | Electronic on-line motor vehicle auction and information system | June, 1998 | Berent et al. | |
5771380 | Method for information retrieval with scaled down images | June, 1998 | Tanaka et al. | |
5771354 | Internet online backup system provides remote storage for customers using IDs and passwords which were interactively established when signing up for backup services | June, 1998 | Crawford | |
5771291 | User identification and authentication system using ultra long identification keys and ultra large databases of identification keys for secure remote terminal access to a host computer | June, 1998 | Newton et al. | |
5752238 | Consumer-driven electronic information pricing mechanism | May, 1998 | Dedrick | |
5745882 | Electronic classified advertising interface method and instructions with continuous search notification | April, 1998 | Bixler et al. | |
5727165 | Offer matching system having timed match acknowledgment | March, 1998 | Ordish et al. | |
5724521 | Method and apparatus for providing electronic advertisements to end users in a consumer best-fit pricing manner | March, 1998 | Dedrick | |
5717989 | Full service trade system | February, 1998 | Tozzoli et al. | |
5715314 | Network sales system | February, 1998 | Payne et al. | |
5712989 | Just-in-time requisition and inventory management system | 1998-01-27 | Johnson et al. | 705/28 |
5710889 | Interface device for electronically integrating global financial services | January, 1998 | Clark et al. | |
5706457 | Image display and archiving system and method | January, 1998 | Dwyer et al. | |
5696965 | Electronic information appraisal agent | December, 1997 | Dedrick | |
5694551 | Computer integration network for channeling customer orders through a centralized computer to various suppliers | December, 1997 | Doyle et al. | |
5694546 | System for automatic unattended electronic information transport between a server and a client by a vendor provided transport software with a manifest list | December, 1997 | Reisman | |
5689652 | Crossing network utilizing optimal mutual satisfaction density profile | November, 1997 | Lupien et al. | |
5664111 | Computerized, multimedia, network, real time, interactive marketing and transactional system | 1997-09-02 | Nahan et al. | 705/27 |
5666493 | System for managing customer orders and method of implementation | September, 1997 | Wojcik et al. | |
5664115 | Interactive computer system to match buyers and sellers of real estate, businesses and other property using the internet | September, 1997 | Fraser | |
5664110 | Remote ordering system | September, 1997 | Green et al. | |
5657389 | Positive identification system and method | August, 1997 | Houvener | |
5629982 | Simultaneous electronic transactions with visible trusted parties | 1997-05-13 | Micali | |
5630125 | Method and apparatus for information management using an open hierarchical data structure | May, 1997 | Zellweger | |
5625823 | Method and apparatus for controlling connected computers without programming | 1997-04-29 | Debenedictis et al. | |
5625818 | System for managing local database updates published to different online information services in different formats from a central platform | 1997-04-29 | Zarmer et al. | |
5611051 | Point of supply use distribution process and apparatus | 1997-03-11 | Pirelli | |
5598557 | Apparatus and method for retrieving and grouping images representing text files based on the relevance of key words extracted from a selected file to the text files | 1997-01-28 | Doner et al. | |
5594732 | Bridging and signalling subsystems and methods for private and hybrid communications systems including multimedia systems | 1997-01-14 | Bell et al. | |
5592375 | Computer-assisted system for interactively brokering goods or services between buyers and sellers | 1997-01-07 | Salmon et al. | |
5584025 | Apparatus and method for interactive communication for tracking and viewing data | 1996-12-10 | Keithley et al. | |
5561707 | Telephonic-interface statistical analysis system | 1996-10-01 | Katz | |
5557728 | Automated image retrieval and scaling into windowed displays | 1996-09-17 | Garrett et al. | |
5557518 | Trusted agents for open electronic commerce | 1996-09-17 | Rosen | 364/408 |
5553145 | Simultaneous electronic transactions with visible trusted parties | 1996-09-03 | Micali | |
5526479 | Method and apparatus for broadcasting live events to another location and producing a computer simulation of the events at that location | 1996-06-11 | Barstow et al. | |
5521815 | Uniform system for verifying and tracking articles of value | 1996-05-28 | Rose | |
5485510 | Secure credit/debit card authorization | 1996-01-16 | Colbert | |
5465291 | Apparatus for ordering from remote locations | 1995-11-07 | Barrus et al. | |
5453926 | Touch screen system for a web folder | 1995-09-26 | Stroschin et al. | |
5451998 | Home shopping video catalog | 1995-09-19 | Hamrick | |
5448625 | Telephone advertising method and apparatus | 1995-09-05 | Lederman | |
5428778 | Selective dissemination of information | 1995-06-27 | Brookes | |
5426281 | Transaction protection system | 1995-06-20 | Abecassis | 235/379 |
5424944 | System and methods for controlled asset disposition | 1995-06-13 | Kelly et al. | 364/401 |
5414833 | Network security system and method using a parallel finite state machine adaptive active monitor and responder | 1995-05-09 | Hershey et al. | |
5402336 | System and method for allocating resources of a retailer among multiple wholesalers | 1995-03-28 | Spiegelhoff et al. | |
5394324 | Auction-based control system for energy resource management in a building | 1995-02-28 | Clearwater | 395/208 |
5383113 | System and method for electronically providing customer services including payment of bills, financial analysis and loans | 1995-01-17 | Kight et al. | |
5375055 | Credit management for electronic brokerage system | 1994-12-20 | Togher et al. | 395/237 |
5351293 | System method and apparatus for authenticating an encrypted signal | 1994-09-27 | Michener et al. | |
5351186 | System and method for obtaining information concerning a product or a service | 1994-09-27 | Bullock et al. | |
5347632 | Reception system for an interactive computer network and method of operation | 1994-09-13 | Filepp et al. | |
5347306 | Animated electronic meeting place | 1994-09-13 | Nitta | |
5345091 | Barcode identification system | 1994-09-06 | Craig et al. | |
5341429 | Transformation of ephemeral material | 1994-08-23 | Stringer et al. | |
5336870 | System for remote purchase payment transactions and remote bill payments | 1994-08-09 | Hughes et al. | |
5335170 | Modular system for inventory control | 1994-08-02 | Petteruti et al. | |
5334822 | Method and system for inventoring a distributed plurality of items on a supply | 1994-08-02 | Sanford | |
5329589 | Mediation of transactions by a communications system | 1994-07-12 | Fraser et al. | 379/91 |
5325297 | Computer implemented method and system for storing and retrieving textual data and compressed image data | 1994-06-28 | Bird et al. | 395/792 |
5323315 | Computer system for monitoring the status of individual items of personal property which serve as collateral for securing financing | 1994-06-21 | Highbloom | 364/408 |
5319542 | System for ordering items using an electronic catalogue | 1994-06-07 | King et al. | |
5305200 | Financial exchange system having automated recovery/rollback of unacknowledged orders | 1994-04-19 | Hartheimer et al. | 395/237 |
5305195 | Interactive advertising system for on-line terminals | 1994-04-19 | Murphy | |
5297032 | Securities trading workstation | 1994-03-22 | Trojan et al. | |
5297031 | Method and apparatus for order management by market brokers | 1994-03-22 | Gutterman et al. | |
5285383 | Method for carrying out transactions of goods using electronic title | 1994-02-08 | Lindsey et al. | 364/408 |
5283731 | Computer-based classified ad system and method | 1994-02-01 | Lalonde et al. | |
5280422 | Method and apparatus for calibrating and controlling multiple heaters | 1994-01-18 | Moe et al. | |
5280305 | Method and apparatus for forming a stylized, three-dimensional object | 1994-01-18 | Monroe et al. | |
5262942 | Financial transaction network | 1993-11-16 | Earle | 364/408 |
5258908 | Detection and prevention of duplicate trading transactions over a communications network | 1993-11-02 | Hartheimer et al. | 395/237 |
5247575 | Information distribution system | 1993-09-21 | Sprague et al. | |
5243515 | Secure teleprocessing bidding system | 1993-09-07 | Lee | 395/237 |
5239462 | Method and apparatus for automatically determining the approval status of a potential borrower | 1993-08-24 | Jones et al. | 364/408 |
5237500 | System and process for converting constant dollar financial instruments | 1993-08-17 | Perg et al. | 364/408 |
5235680 | Apparatus and method for communicating textual and image information between a host computer and a remote display terminal | 1993-08-10 | Bijnagte | |
5220501 | Method and system for remote delivery of retail banking services | 1993-06-15 | Lawlor et al. | |
5206803 | System for enhanced management of pension-backed credit | 1993-04-27 | Vitagliano et al. | 364/408 |
5193056 | Data processing system for hub and spoke financial services configuration | 1993-03-09 | Boes | 364/408 |
5191613 | Knowledge based system for document authentication | 1993-03-02 | Graziano et al. | 380/25 |
5168446 | System for conducting and processing spot commodity transactions | 1992-12-01 | Wiseman | 395/237 |
5136501 | Anonymous matching system | 1992-08-04 | Silverman et al. | 395/237 |
5101353 | Automated system for providing liquidity to securities markets | 1992-03-31 | Lupien et al. | 364/408 |
5077665 | Distributed matching system | 1991-12-31 | Silverman et al. | |
5077607 | Cable television transaction terminal | 1991-12-31 | Johnson et al. | |
5063507 | Goods database employing electronic title or documentary-type title | 1991-11-05 | Lindsey et al. | 364/408 |
5060153 | Teller machine with mode for continuously sending off-line collected transaction data to a host while ignoring incomplete data response signals | 1991-10-22 | Nakagawa | |
5056019 | Automated purchase reward accounting system and method | 1991-10-08 | Schultz et al. | 705/14 |
5021953 | Trip planner optimizing travel itinerary selection conforming to individualized travel policies | 1991-06-04 | Webber et al. | 364/407 |
4992940 | System and method for automated selection of equipment for purchase through input of user desired specifications | 1991-02-12 | Dworkin | 364/401 |
4982346 | Mall promotion network apparatus and method | 1991-01-01 | Girouard et al. | |
4977595 | Method and apparatus for implementing electronic cash | 1990-12-11 | Ohta et al. | |
4947028 | Automated order and payment system | 1990-08-07 | Gorog | |
4935870 | Apparatus for downloading macro programs and executing a downloaded macro program responding to activation of a single key | 1990-06-19 | Burk et al. | |
4922521 | System for providing secure telecommunication access to a computer | 1990-05-01 | Krikke et al. | |
4910676 | Processing system for managing bi-media investments | 1990-03-20 | Alldredge | 364/408 |
4903201 | Automated futures trading exchange | 1990-02-20 | Wagner | 364/408 |
4887208 | Sales and inventory control system | 1989-12-12 | Schneider et al. | |
4885685 | Investment management system with travel usage funds indexed to customer account status | 1989-12-05 | Wolfberg et al. | 364/401 |
4876648 | System and method for implementing and administering a mortgage plan | 1989-10-24 | Lloyd | 364/408 |
4865097 | Antique doll protection system | 1989-09-12 | Allen | 150/154 |
4864516 | Method for implementing an on-line presentation in an information processing system | 1989-09-05 | Gaither et al. | |
4833607 | Apparatus and method to control economical systems | 1989-05-23 | Dethloff et al. | 705/14 |
4823265 | Renewable option accounting and marketing system | 1989-04-18 | Nelson | 705/35 |
4812628 | Transaction system with off-line risk assessment | 1989-03-14 | Boston et al. | |
4799156 | Interactive market management system | 1989-01-17 | Shavit et al. | |
4795890 | Device authentication system for on and off line use | 1989-01-03 | Goldman | |
4789928 | Auction information transmission processing | 1988-12-06 | Fujisaki | |
4775935 | Video merchandising system with variable and adoptive product sequence presentation order | 1988-10-04 | Yourick | |
4755940 | Transaction security system | 1988-07-05 | Brachtl et al. | |
4751640 | Automated investment system | 1988-06-14 | Lucas et al. | 364/408 |
4742457 | System and method of investment management including means to adjust deposit and loan accounts for inflation | 1988-05-03 | Leon et al. | 364/408 |
4739478 | Methods and apparatus for restructuring debt obligations | 1988-04-19 | Roberts et al. | 364/408 |
4734858 | Data terminal and system for placing orders | 1988-03-29 | Schlafly | |
4677552 | International commodity trade exchange | 1987-06-30 | Sibley, Jr. | 395/237 |
4674044 | Automated securities trading system | 1987-06-16 | Kalmus et al. | 364/408 |
4553222 | Integrated interactive restaurant communication system for food and entertainment processing | 1985-11-12 | Kurland et al. | 395/215 |
4449186 | Touch panel passenger self-ticketing system | 1984-05-15 | Kelly et al. | 395/205 |
4346442 | Securities brokerage-cash management system | 1982-08-24 | Musmanno | 364/408 |
4305059 | Modular funds transfer system | 1981-12-08 | Benton | |
4270042 | Electronic funds transfer system | 1981-05-26 | Case | 235/379 |
4247759 | Self-service passenger ticketing system | 1981-01-27 | Yuris et al. | 235/381 |
3581072 | AUCTION MARKET COMPUTATION SYSTEM | 1971-05-25 | Nymeyer | 395/237 |
3573747 | INSTINET COMMUNICATION SYSTEM FOR EFFECTUATING THE SALE OR EXCHANGE OF FUNGIBLE PROPERTIES BETWEEN SUBSCRIBERS | 1971-04-06 | Adams et al. |
Foreign References:
EP0542298 | May, 1993 | ELECTRONIC MONETARY SYST | ||
FR2658635 | August, 1991 | |||
GB2102606 | February, 1983 | |||
NL9300266 | September, 1994 | |||
WO/1991/016691 | October, 1991 | VALUE TRANSFER SYSTEM | ||
WO/1992/015174 | September, 1992 | INTERACTIVE TRANSACTION PROCESSING SYSTEM | ||
WO/1995/016971 | June, 1995 | DIGITAL ACTIVE ADVERTISING | ||
WO/1996/034356 | October, 1996 | CONSIGNMENT NODES | ||
WO/1997/019415 | May, 1997 | SEARCH ENGINE FOR REMOTE OBJECT ORIENTED DATABASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM | ||
WO/1997/037315 | October, 1997 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROCESSING AND TRANSMITTING ELECTRONIC AUCTION INFORMATION | ||
WO/1998/019259 | May, 1998 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANAGING AND SERVING CONSUMER PRODUCT RELATED INFORMATION OVER THE INTERNET | ||
WO/1998/035469 | August, 1998 | INFORMATION AGGREGATION AND SYNTHESIZATION SYSTEM | ||
WO/1999/006913 | February, 1999 | CONTENT-AWARE FLOW SWITCHING | ||
WO/1999/013417 | March, 1999 | A SYSTEM, METHOD, AND MEDIUM FOR RETRIEVING, ORGANISING, AND UTILIZING NETWORKED DATA | ||
WO/1999/063461 | December, 1999 | INTERACTIVE REMOTE AUCTION BIDDING SYSTEM | ||
WO/2000/008578 | February, 2000 | A METHOD AND AN APPARATUS FOR A UNIVERSAL TRADING MARKET DESIGN AND DEPLOYMENT SYSTEM | ||
WO/2000/017797 | March, 2000 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONDUCTING ELECTRONIC AUCTIONS | ||
WO/2000/062231 | October, 2000 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TRACKING CONSUMERS |
Other References:
“Profits Run Secondary Art Market”. Jay Blucher, Daily News reporter. Anchorage Daily News. Anchorage, Alaska: Nov 10, 1991. p. E.1 [recovered from Proquest on Oct. 31, 2008].
“Manic Market: Prices of Hottest Art Reach Stunning Levels As Boom Keeps Going—Some Still Say It Has to End, But Smart-Money Crowd Is Paying Little Attention—New Millions From a Swede”. By Meg Cox. Wall Street Journal. (Eastern edition). New York, N.Y.: Nov. 28, 1988. p. 1 [recovered from Proquest on Oct. 31, 2008].
“Homes On-Line-Call It Virtual Realty Technology: Thanks to advances in Orange County and the Valley, more and more consumers are real estate shopping by computer-without all that driving.; [Orange County Edition]”. Debora Vrana. Los Angeles Times (pre-1997 Fulltext). Los Angeles, Calif.: Dec. 4, 1994. p. 1[recovered from Proquest on Oct. 10, 2008].
“Higher-Tech Home Dealing the Information Superhighway Has Arrived With Shoppers and Sellers Both Taking Advantage of Advances.; [3 Star Edition]”. Joe Kilsheimer of the Sentinel Staff. Orlando Sentinel. Orlando, Fla.: Nov. 20, 1994. p. J.1[recovered from Proquest on Oct. 10, 2008].
Ken Koepper, “Room Inventory Auctioning: The Next CRS Generation”, Lodging, Jan. 1990, pp. 26-30.
American Law Institute, Draft-Uniform Commercial Code Revised Article 2 (Sales), Parts 2, 3 and 7, pp. 1-15, Jan. 4, 1996, printed from http://www.kentlaw.edu/ulc/uniform/uccart2/chapt2/ucc2c237.html.
Banâtre, J., et al., The Design and Building of Enchère, A Distributed Electronic Marketing System, Communications of the ACM, Jan. 1986, vol. 29, No. 1, pp. 19-29.
“BookIt!,” Datalex Communications, USA, Inc., Web Ventures, 1999, http://www.webventures.com/bookit.
“BookIt!,” Web Ventures, 1996, http://www.webventures.com/bookit.
Business Editors/Computer Writers, “Onsale: Onsale Brings Thrill of Auctions and Bargain Hunting Online: Unique Internet Retail Service Debuts With Week-Long Charity Auction for the Computer Museum in Boston,” Business Wire, May 22, 1995, Dialog File 610, Accession No. 0489267.
Del Rosso, L., “Marketel Says It Plans to Launch Air Fare ‘Auction’ in June,” Travel Weekly, Apr. 29, 1991, vol. 50, No. 34, p. 1.
Del Rosso, L., “Ticket-Bidding Finn Closes Its Doors,” Travel Weekly, Mar. 12, 1992, vol. 51, No. 21, p. 1.
Golden, F., “AAL's Riga Doubts Marketel's Appeal to Retailers; Chris Riga of American Airlines,” Travel Weekly, Nov. 13, 1989, vol. 48, No. 91, p. 4.
Kuttner, R, “Computers May Turn the World Into One Big Commodities Pit,” Business Week, Sep. 11, 1989, No. 3123, p. 17.
Maskery, M., “Car Auction Reaches Into Space,” Automotive News, Dialog File 16, Accession No. 03482064, Nov. 25, 1991, p. 6.
Nimmer, R., “Electronic Contracting: Legal Issues,” 14 J. Marshall J. Computer & Info. L. 211 (1996).
Pelline, J., “Travelers Bidding on Airline Tickets: SF Firm Offers Chance for Cut-Rate Fares,” The San Francisco Chronicle, Aug. 19, 1991, Section A4.
Ritter, J., “Scope of the Uniform Commercial Code: Computer Contracting Cases and Electronic Commercial Practices,” 45 Bus. Law. 2533, Aug. 1990.
Schmitz, T., “California Computer Auctions—No Boon for Bargain Hunters,” Knight-Ridder/Tribune Business News, Sep. 13, 1993, Dialog File 609, Accession No. 2096205.
Schrage, M., “An Experiment in Economic Theory: Labs Testing Real Markets,” The Los Angeles Times, Nov. 26, 1989, Section B1.
Speidel, R., et al., “Impact of Electronic Contracting on Contract Formation Under Revised UCC Article 2, Sales,” C878 ALI-ABA 335, Dec. 9, 1993.
Goulde, M., “Sun Microsystems Bringing Interactive Technology to the WWW,” Open Information Systems, 10:3 pp. 29, Mar. 1995.
“[Ads for Antique Shows],” The Inside Collector, Oct. 1992, vol. 3, No. 2.
“Acid Rain Auctions Is Successful,” American Metal Market, vol. 103 No. 69, Apr. 11, 1995.
“Active Message Processing Messages as Messengers,” (Illegible) Centre for Mathematics and Computer Science, Report CSR9035 August.
“Ameritech Library Services Unveils Webpac at ALA,” PR Newswire, Jun. 27, 1995.
“An Analysis and Recommendation for the Terms of the Reclaim Trading Credit,” Report submitted to South Coast Air Quality Management District, Contract No. R-C93074, Apr. 27, 1993.
“Anonymous Delivery of Goods in Electric Commerce,” IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, Mar. 1996, vol. 39, No. 3, p. 363-364.
“Anonymous Delivery of Goods in Electronic Commerce (Continued),” IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, Mar. 1996, vol. 39, No. 3, p. 365-366.
“AT&T PersonaLink Services to Use Intelligent Network Assistants,” AT&T, Jan. 6, 1994.
“Bank Card Originated Messages—Interchange Message Specifications—Content for Financial Transaction,” International Standard, 1987.
“Big Players Team Up to Provide Affordable Web Security Standards,” Electronic Marketplace Report, Apr. 18, 1995. vol. 9, No. 5, Simba Information, Inc.
“BookIt!,” Web Ventures 1996, http://www.webventures.com.
“BookIt!,” Web Ventures, Datalex Communications USA, Inc., Web Ventures, 1999, http://www.webventures.com.
“Business Plan for Intermart”, Intermart, Jul. 13, 1994.
“Business Plan for Intermart,” Intermart, Aug. 18, 1994, p. 1-27.
“Cashing in on Cyberspace Tribune's Big Stake in Interactive,” NewsInc, Nov. 27, 1995, vol. 7, No. 23.
“Central Motor Auction in Strategic Alliance with MITAC: 2,” Extel Examiner, Oct. 28, 1994.
“Checkfree Corp and Internet Provider Go for Secure Access,” Information Access Company, Feb. 1, 1995, Gralla Publications, U.S.
“Chicago Firm Offers Internet Brokerage Services,” Simba Information, Inc., Media Daily, Dec. 21, 1994, Section No. 342, vol. 2.
“Cig Search BOTS,” Jan. 27, 2002.
“Competition in the Dutch Flower Markets,” Nov. 6, 2001.
“CompuServe's Big Push Will Impact Online Commerce,” Electronic Information Report, Aug. 8, 1995, vol. 9, No. 15, Simba Informations, Inc.
“Computer museum holds an internet auction,” CMP 2000; May 9, 1994.
“Earth Day Ala Internet International Superstars Give Autographed Poster to Save the Earth—Silent Auction at San Francisco CA Artrock Gallery Will be Open to 26 Million Internet Users Apr. 22 Through May 21,” Business Wire, Feb. 10, 1995.
“Earth Day on the Internet—Rockers and Performances Give Autographed Posters to Save the Earth,” Newswire, Mar. 14, 1995, PR News Wire Assoc., Inc.
“EIT computer museum: first-ever internet auction produces results for the computer museum.” Business Wire, Apr. 28, 1994.
Vernon L. Smith et al., “Experimental market economics,” Sep. 1991 (edited version in Dec. 1992 issues of Scientific American).
Sharp, Amy, “From army knives to gold coins, collectors attend ‘on-line’ auctions,” Memphis Business Journal v. 8(10) sl, p. 10, Jul. 28, 1986.
“Go for the green—country club members scrambling to buy PGA west, mission hills courses at auction.” Los Angeles Times Home Edition, col. D1, p. 3, Jun. 30, 1993.
“Google Newsgroup Re: Press/Digital and Open Market Partner to do Business Over the Internet,” Digital Press & Analysis News, Nov. 7, 1994.
“Interchange Message Specification for Debit and Credit Card Message Exchange Among Financial Institutions,” American National Standard, May 16, 1988, American Bankers Association.
“Intermart Architecture and Design”, Intermart, May 1, 1995, p. 1-10, California.
“Intermart Database Schemas,” Intermart, Feb. 7, 1995, vol. 5, p. 1-13.
“Internet providers take next step toward electronic commerce.” Electronic Marketplace Report, v. 8 (24).
“Internet-Based Investor Service Completes Trials; Adds Mutual Funds to Investment Offerings,” PR Newswire Association, Inc., Jan. 17, 1995, Section: Financial News, Chicago.
“Network General Buy Propels McAfee Into Top 10,” Software Industry Report, Oct. 20, 1997, vol. 29, No. 20.
“New Issues—Checkfree: New and Noteworthy,” Emerging and Special Situations, Sep. 18, 1995, vol. 15, No. 9, McGraw-Hill Publishing.
“New Service Enables Internet Users to Directly Buy, Sell and Manage Investments,” PR Newswire Association, Inc., Dec. 21, 1994, Section: Financial News.
“Online Marketplace '95—Marketing & Transactions Apr. 19, 1995,” Newsbytes News Network, Apr. 19, 1995, Chicago, IL.
“Part II: Information Companies Invest to Gain Competitive Edge,” Electronic Information Report, Feb. 28, 1997, vol. 18, No. 8.
“PAWWS to Announce New Portfolio Management Challenge, On-Line,” M2 Communications, Ltd., Oct. 11, 1994.
“Personal Optimized Decision/Transaction Program,” IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, Jan. 1995, vol. 38, No. 1, p. 83-84.
“Prodigy outlines Internet Plans, Launches Services Sep. 24, 1994,” Newsbytes News Network, Sep. 29, 1994.
“Save the earth foundation: Internet auction online rock and roll art auction celebrating earth day is declared open to the world for one month,” Business Wire Apr. 24, 1995.
“Save the earth foundation: the first ever autographed concert poster auction via the internet.” BW 1999; Apr. 17, 1995.
“Security Top Issue for Banks Planning to Surf the Internet,” Financial Services Report, Apr. 12, 1995, vol. 12, Issue 8.
“Spry's Air Mosaic Express Provides Internet Access to World Wide Web,” The PC Netter, Dec. 1, 1994, vol. 9, No. 12.
“The MD5 Message Digest Algorithm,” Network Working Group, Apr. 1, 1992, MIT Laboratory for Computer Science and RSA Data Security, Inc.
“Tribune Co. Emerges as Big Interactive Services Player,” Electronic Information Report, Oct. 6, 1995 , vol. 16, No. 43, Simba Information, Inc.
“Tribune Co. Seeks Next-Generation Media,” Venture Capital Journal, Aug. 1, 1995.
“Tribune Takes Papers Online, Cautiously,” Interactive Content, Feb. 1, 1995.
“A Quick Guide to Last Minute Weekend Entertainment,” Chicago Sun Times-News-48 hours, Apr. 16, 1994.
“A Quick Tour: A Summary of Approaches,” EDventure Holdings, Inc., Jan. 24, 1995, vol. 95, No. 1, ISSN:1047-935X.
“AOL Members Even Better Than They Look,” Newsbytes News Network, Jan. 28, 1994.
“Aucnet USA to Use GM Hughes Satellite for Auto Auctions,” Dow Jones & Co., Inc., Feb. 9, 1994.
“Aucnet: TV Auction Network System,” Harvard Business School, Apr. 12, 1996.
“Breakaway Companies Part II,” Electronic Information Report, Apr. 28, 1995, vol. 16, No. 16., Simba Information, Inc.
“Buy and Sell Stocks on the Internet,” DOT.com Marketing Section, Jan. 1995, Business Communications Com., vol. 1, No. 10.
“Car Auctions Via Business TV to Debut Plans to Launch an Online Used Car Auction Service,” Network World, Jul. 25, 1994, ISSN:0887-7661.
“Cassini Resource Exchange User's guide,” California Institute of Technology, Apr. 1993.
“Checkfree Announces New Electronic Payments Agreements,” Corporate EFT Report, Dec. 28, 1994.
“CommerceNet Security Details?” University of Illinois at Urbana, May 25, 1994.
“Company Presentations (Innovators—Includes Related Article on Network Topologies),” EDventure Holdings, Inc., Feb. 23, 1995, vol. 95, No. 2, ISSN:1047-935X.
“Cybercash as a Virtual Smart Car Internet,” Electronic Payments International, Aug. 1, 1995.
“Downtown Anywhere Visitors Center,” Downtown Anywhere Inc., Mar. 12, 2002.
“EFT Issues: EFT Heads Down a New Payments Path,” Bank Network News, Sep. 25, 1994, Faulkner & Gray Inc., ISSN: 1063-4428.
“Electronic Shopping War Heats Up,” Corporate EFT Report, Nov. 16, 1994, vol. 14, Issue 22.
“Farmers Plugging Into Electronic Cattle Ring,” The Financial Post (Toronto), Weekly Edition, Section 4, Jan. 1, 1994, p. S11.
“FCC Will Allow Remote Electronic Bidding in Oct. 26 Narrowband PCS Auction,” Common Carrier Week, Oct. 10, 1994.
“Financial Institution Retail Message Authentication,” American National Standard X9-19, Aug. 13, 1986, American Bankers Association.
“Google Search Re: Weekly Product Search—Webpac Link to Notis LMC,” Ameritech Library Services News, Sep. 8, 1995.
“Helpful Hints for Using free WAIS with Multiple Search Gateway,” Aug. 29, 1994.
“Here Come the Little Guys! Aucnet Inc.,” Tokyo Business Today, Toyo Keizai Inc., Feb. 1995, p. 5.
“IEM Prospectus: 1994 Virginia Senate Race [General Election (Candidates) Market] Vote Share Market,” Iowa Electronic Markets, Jun. 8, 2002.
“IEM Prospectus: 1994 Virginia Senate Race Winner-Takes-All Market,” Iowa Electronic Markets, Jun. 8, 2002.
“Internet Marketing Discussion List—Find the Best Book Price Fast,” Archives of the Internet Marketing Discussion List, Jan. 24, 2002.
“Japan Business Television Launches International Operations,” PR Newswire, Oct. 27, 1994.
“Japan's Largest Commercial Video Selects Spar Satellite Transmission Equipment,” Canadian News Wire, May 10, 1994.
“Joint Conference on Information Superhighway and You,” Chinese Information and Networking Association, Aug. 29, 1994.
“MCI Selects Netscape Communications Secure Software for New Internet-MCI Service,” Netscape Communications News Release, Nov. 21, 1994.
“MUDA Manual and Diskette Mailing List,” Dec. 28, 1992.
“MUDA Manual and Diskette Mailing List,” Sep. 1991.
“New MUDA Manual (SSWP 783) and Diskette Mailing List,” Dec. 1991.
“Newsgroup Posting RE: Usenet Software: History and Sources,”Jun. 8, 2002.
“Old MacDonald Had a PC,” Canadian Business and Current Affairs Western Report, Sep. 13, 1993, p. 21, MicroMedia Limited ISSN:0831-8891.
“Online Pollution Trading in California,” Newsbytes New Network, Apr. 14, 1995.
“Onsale Joins Fray as Online Shopping Picks Up Speed: Internet Booms,” Computer Reseller News, Jun. 5, 1995, ISSN:0893-8377, p. 73.
“Outsourcing Taps On-line Goldmine,” Computer World Inc., Jun. 5, 1995, p. 20.
“Paying Bills Electronically”.
“Preview Media and America Online Announce New Travel Services for America Online Subscribers,” PR Newswire, Feb. 7, 1995.
“Proforma,” Half.Com Proforma Quarterly Income Statement.
“Report on the Feasibility and Economics of Establishing a Network for Electronic Sale of Sheep and Cattle Throughout Australia,” Agricultural Business Research Institute, Nov. 1983.
“Search Commercial on the Internet a Survey of Searching Tools on the Internet,” Jan. 27, 2002.
“SNPP a Simple Network Payment Protocol (Illegible)”.
“Stanley Gibbons Auctions—Welcome to the SG World of Auctions,” Jan. 24, 2002.
“The Computer Museum Holds First Real-Time Charity Auctions on the World Wide Web,” Business Wire, May 8, 1995.
“The Summer Conferences: Issues and Answers, Products and Services are SLA and ALA,” Information Today, Jul. 17, 1995, vol. 12, No. 7.
“USA Commercenet Urges Government to Ease Export Restrictions on Encryption,” Business Wire, Jun. 26, 1995.
“World's First Virtual Auction Set to GO,” The Ottawa Citizen, Business Section, Oct. 22, 1994, p. E2.
“The Evolution of TELCOT the Foundation of ‘The Seam’,” TELCOT Plains Cotton Cooperative Association, 1997.
Abadi, M. et al., “Authentication and Delegation With Smart-Cards,” System Research Center, Oct. 22, 1990.
Academic Consulting Services, “RN Newsreader Software,” available at http://www.academ.com\academ\m.html, May 18, 1998.
Adams, R., “Newsgroup Posting Re: Hiring Webmasters and HTML Writers,” Oct. 6, 1994.
Akerlof, G. et al., “The Market for Lemons: Quality Uncertainty and the Market Mechanism,” The Quarterly Journal of Economics, May 13, 2002, vol. 84, Issue 3, pp. 488-500.
Anand, et al., “The Electronic Flea Market,” Research Report, IBM Research Division, T.J. Watson Research Center, Jul. 28, 1994.
Anderson, R., “UEPS a Second Generation Electronic Wallet,” University Computer Laboratory.
Anderson, R., “Why Cryptosystems Fail”.
Angrist, S., “Iowa Market Takes Stock of Presidential Candidates,” Wall Street Journal, Aug. 28, 1995.
Aquilera, M.C., “Coin Collectors Go International Via Cyberspace,” San Diego Daily Transcript; Apr. 17, 1995.
Asset Management Control, Inc., Business Process PowerPoint Presentation Re: Patent No. 08/189,987, 1993-1994.
Automatic Newsgroup, “Google Newsgroup Re: New News Group re: Collecting Stamps,” Jan. 11, 1994.
Bakos, Jy., “A Strategic Analysis of Electronic Marketplaces,” MIS Quarterly, Sep. 1991, vol. 15, No. 3, p. 295-310.
Banatre, J. et al., “The design and building of Enchere, a distributed electronic marketing system,” Communications of the ACM, Jan. 1986, vol. 29(1), pp. 19-29.
Bank, D., “Coming to the Cyberworld: Virtual Cash,” Buffalo News Business, Mar. 15, 1995.
Bank, D., “Turning PCs Into ATMS,” San Jose Mercury News, Feb. 7, 1995.
Banks, V., “News Group Posting—Google Search Re: E-D-U-P-A-G-E,” Apr. 11, 1994.
Barnes, S., “Newsgroup Posting RE: Light Boxes for Viewing Slides,” Sep. 15, 1994.
Basil, K., CGI Script Used at internet Presence & Publishing to Implement MESCH Service “Newsgroup Posting RE: WAIS Searching Script with Support for Multiple Database Querying,” 1994, Internet Presence & Publishing Corp.
Baty, J. et al., “InterShop: Enhancing the Vendor/Customer Dialectic in Electronic Shopping,” Journal of Management information Systems, 1995, vol. II, No. 4, pp. 9-31.
Bellovin, S., “Usenet: The Great Renaming 1985-1988,” WWW.VRX.Net, Jun. 8, 2002.
Bendremer, S., “Downtown Anywhere: The New Internet City (Online Commerce Etc.),” Jul. 21, 1994, Google Newsgroup: comp.infosystems.announce.
Benjamin, R., et al., “Electronic Markets and Virtual Value Chains on the Information Superhighway,” Sloan Management Review, Winter 1995.
Benson, B. et al., “The Impact of Provincial Marketing Boards on Price Relations and Pricing Dynamics in the North America Slaughter Hog Market,” Jul. 1994.
Bichl, S., “IC Cards in High Security Applications,” Voest Alpine, AG.
Birenbaum, “Add-on encapsulation for router-based networks, product leaders/internetworking, data communications,” May 21, 1994, pp. 41-42.
Blankenhorn, D., “Building the Tools for Web Commerce,” Interactive Age, Issue 208—Special Report, Feb. 13, 1995, CMP Publishers, Inc.
Blankley, P., “E-mail Re: Acorn Collectors and eBay,” Jun. 15, 2002.
Boelke, B. “Google Search Re: News Group-Collecting Stamps—WWW Auction Update,” Mar. 30, 1995.
Bos, J., “SmartCash a Practical Electronic Payment System,” Center for Mathematics and Computer Science, August.
Brouwer, J. et al., “Human-Machine Communication for Educational Systems Design”.
Brown, H., “Google Newsgroup Re: Lady Death and Shi Auction,” Oct. 26, 1994.
Burchfield, B., “Cast Study—The Cirrus Banking Network,” Aug. 1985.
Burk, H., “A Value Exchange Systems Enabling security and Unobservavbility, Computers and Security”.
Burmeister, J., “Google Search Re: Newton Mail Is Here!” Oct. 8, 1993.
Business Editors / Computer Writers “Onsale: onsale brings thrill of auctions and bargain hunding online . . . ”Business Wire, May 22, 1995, Dialg File 610, Accession No. 0489267.
Business Wire, “Computer museum: The computer museum brings auction block to cyberspace in first internet auction.” Mar. 14, 1994.
Canessa, E. et al., “Proceedings of the WWW94 Workshop at CERN: Offering the Same Information Via Multiple Services”.
Carlson, D. et al., “An Analysis of the Information and Report Requirements, Market Architectures, Operational and Regulatory Issues, and Derivative Instruments for Reclaim,” Pacific Stock Exchange, Inc., Contract No. R-C93074, Jul. 6, 1993.
Cash, J., “Electronic Commerce,” Information Week, Dec. 26, 1994, Columnist Section, p. 60.
Chabrow, E., “A New Era Is Brokered In” Information Week, Sep. 18, 1995.
Chalker, K., “Newsgroup Posting Re: AMD/INTEL?”, PSI Public Usenet Link, Sep. 20, 1994.
Chalker, K., “Newsgroup Posting Re: Motherboards with BIOS Support for EIDE,” PSI Public Usenet Link, Oct. 5, 1994.
Chalker, K., “Newsgroup Posting Re: Pentium Bug—How to Tell?” PSI Public Usenet Link, Nov. 25, 1994.
Chalker, K., “Newsgroup Posting Re: For Sale: New Western Digital 1Gb 1DE Drive—$540!” Sep. 28, 1994, PSI Public Usenet Link.
Channing Rodgers, R. P., et al., “Online Images From the History of Medicine (OLI): Creating a Large Searchable Image Database for Distribution Via World-Wide Web,” Lister Hill Center for Biomedical Communications.
Chaum, D., “Abstract-Untraceable Electronic (Illegible),” Center for Mathematics and Computer Science.
Chaum, D., “Achieving Electronic Privacy,” Scientific American, Aug. 1992.
Chaum, D., “Implementing Capability-Based Protection Using Encryption,” Electronics Research Laboratory—University of Berkeley, Jul. 17, 1978.
Chess, D. et al., “Itinerant Agents for Mobile Computing,” IEEE Personal Communications, Oct. 1995, pp. 34-49.
Chess, D. et al., “Mobile Agents: Are They a Good Idea?” IBM Research Division, Jan. 7, 2002.
Churbuck, D., “Dial-A-Catalog,” Forbes, Oct. 10, 1994, p. 126-130.
Clarke, R., “The Strategic Intent of Online Trading Systems a Case Study in National Livestock Marketing,” Xamax Consultancy Ltd., Aug. 26.
Clarke, R., “EDI Is But One Element of Electronic Commerce,” International EDI Conference, Nov. 6, 2001.
Clemons, E. et al., “The Impact of Information Technology on the Organization of Economic Activity: The Move to the Middle Hypothesis,” Fall 1993, vol. 10, No. 2, pp. 9-35.
Clemons, E., et al., “Evaluating the Prospects for Alternative Electronic Securities Markets,” The University of Pennsylvania and the University of London.
Clifford, D. (Illegible), “Notes on Community Information Systems,” Dec. 10, 1989.
Cohen, D., “Computerized Commerce,” Proceedings of the IFIP World Computer Congress Held Aug. 28-Sep. 1, 1989, Reprinted From Information Processing 89, Oct. 1989.
Cohen, D., “Electronic Commerce”, Information Sciences Institute (ISI) Research Report, Oct. 1989, pp. 1-42.
Connelly, M., “Ford Sets Electronic Auction: New Setup Will Sell Some Used Vehicles,” Automotive News, Apr. 10, 1995, Crain Communications, Inc.
Contini, A. et al., “Title Auction Selling,” Agriculture and Rural Division, Nov. 6, 2001.
Cook, J., “Headline Send Fido Shopping Why Fight Crowds? Web Site Mascot Can Sniff Out Super Gifts While You Stay in Your Slippers,” St. Louis Post Dispatch Inc., Dec. 7, 1995.
Crone, R., “Notes from the lnfobahn: Navigating the Web of New Alliances in Cyberspace,” American Banker, Aug. 7, 1995.
Crossley, “WAIS Through the Web discovering Environmental Information,” Sep. 19, 2000.
Davies, Stephen A., “Treasury action to ‘go live’ with computer tenders. (Treasury Automated Auction Processing System, or TAAPS)(Public securities association supplement)” Bond Buyer v. 304, n2914, Apr. 29, 1993, p. 1A(3).
Davis, J. et al., “A Protocol and Server for a Distributed Digital Technical Report Library,” Apr. 25, 1994.
Davis, J., “Dropin Publishing With the World Wide Web,” Xerox, Inc. and Cornell University, May 3, 1999.
De Lafuente, Della, “A Virtual Paradise Online Users Can Find Businesses Offering Everything From Bar-Hopping to Wine Tours, Casinos to Camping,” Chicago Sun Times, Apr. 2, 1995.
DeBenedictis, E., “Goofle Search Re: Relative Speed of PERL vs TCL vs C,” Jan. 28, 1996.
Del Rosso, L. “Marketel says it plans to launch air fare “auction” in June,” travel Weekly, Apr. 29, 1991, vol. 50(34), p. 1.
Del Rosso, L. “Ticket-bidding firm closes its doors,” Travel Weekly, Mar. 12, 1992, vol. 51(21), p. 1.
Dippold, R., “Google Newsgroup Re: Collecting Stamps,” Jan. 3, 1994.
Eichmann, D., “The RBSE Spider Balancing Effective Search Against Web Load,” Repository Based Software Engineering Program.
Elmer-Dewitt. P., “Battle for the Soul of the Internet,” Time Magazine Cover Story Technology Section, Jul. 26, 1994.
Epper K., “Money Creators: Point of Sale Pioneer Setting Point of Sail on the Internet,” American Banker, Feb. 10, 1995, vol. 160, No. 28.
Etzioni, O. et al., “A Softbot-Based Interface to the Internet,” Department of Computer Science and Engineering—University of Washington, Jul. 19, 2000.
Etzioni, O. et al., “Intelligent Agents on the Internet: Fact, Fiction and Forecast,” May 30, 1995, University of Washington, Seattle, Wa.
Excel, K., “Google Newsgroup Re: Shopping on the Net? Check this Out! Not an Ad by Me!!” Apr. 12, 1994.
Feldman, Robert et al. “Auctions: theory and applications.” International Monetary Fund papers; v.40n3, pp. 485-511, Sep. 1993.
Fielding, R., “Maintaining Distributed Hypertext Infostructures: Welcome to MOMSpider's Web,” Apr. 17, 1994, University of California, Irvine, CA.
Finin, T. et al., “KQML as an Agent Communication Language,” Nov. 1994, p. 8, University of Maryland & Valley Forge Laboratory.
Finlay, D., “A Safer System: Answers are Being Developed to the Main Booking Barrier on the Internet—The Security of Information,” Travel Agent, Apr. 10, 1995.
Fong, T. et al., “Success and Failure Factors for Implementing Agricultural Electronic Markets,” Department of Information Systems Monash University, Jun. 11, 1997.
Ford, K., “Newsgroup Posting Re: Kudos to KC Computers,” Sep. 13, 1994, MicroMagic, Huntsville, AL.
Forsythe, R., [Letter to Professor Neumann Regarding the IPSM], University of Iowa, Jun. 5, 2002.
Forsythe, R., et al., “The Iowa Presidential Stock Market: A Field Experiment,” Research in Experimental Economics, 1991, vol. 4, p. 1-43, JAI Press, Inc.
Franklin, M. et al., “The Design and Implementation of a Secure Auction Service”.
French, J. et al., “Final Report for NSF Grant: NSF-CDA-9308259,” Apr. 30, 1994.
Gaffin, A., “Re: Need Information on the ‘Internet Shopping Network’”, May 18, 1994, Google Newsgroup: news.newusers.questions.
Gaffin, A.M., “Everybody's Internet Update,” Feb. 1995, No. 9.
Garcia, Beatrice; “Fast-moving pace is not for the shy or the undecided.” Herald Real Estate; Miami Herald Final Edition, p. 4G, Mar. 5, 1991.
Gavin, B., “Web World: Corporate Solutions of Today,” Oct. 25, 1994, Google Newsgroup: news.announce.conferences.
Gifford, D., “Cryptograph Sealing for Information Secrecy and Authentication,” 1982, Stanford University.
Gifford, R., “GEAC's Plans for Supporting Silver Platter ERL,” Mar. 23, 1995, Google Newsgroup: bit.listserv.advanc-1.
Gligor, V. et al., “Object Migration and Authentication,” IEEE Transaction on Software, Nov. 1979, p. 607-611.
Golden, F., “AAL's Riga doubts Marketel's appeal to retailers; Chris Riga of American Airlines,” Travel Weekly, Nov. 13, 1989, vol. 14 (91), p. 4.
Goodman, S., “MCI Unveils Internet MCI: New MCI-Branded Software,” Mar. 27, 1995, Google Newsgroup: comp.dcom.telecom.
Google Newsgroup Re: Computer Software and Hardware at Dealer Cost, May 12, 1994.
Gordon, M., “Auctions become high tech.” Dealer Business, Mar. 1995, vol. 29 (7), p. 21.
Gordon, M., “No Place Like the Auction: Auctions Continue to Grow and Become More Sophisticated in Meeting Dealer Needs,” Newsbyte News Network, Nov. 1, 1994.
Goulde, M., “Sun Microsystems bringing interactive technology to the WWW,” Open Information Systems, 10:3, p. 29, Mar. 1995.
Graham, I. (Department of Business Studies, University of Edinburgh),“Electronic Livestock Auctions in the UK,” Electronic Markets, Nov. 6, 2001.
Graham, I., “The Emergence of Linked Fish Markets in Europe,” Focus Theme, University of Edinburgh, Scotland.
Granacki, J. et al., “A Component Library Management System and Browser,” Apr. 19, 2000, University of Southern California Information Sciences Institute, p. 1-19.
Grant, G., “Mosaic Communications Unveils Network Navigator and Server Software for the Internet,” Sep. 1, 1994.
Griffiths, J., “Dealers Move Into Electronic Motor Trading,” Financial Times, Nov. 23, 1994, p. 13.
Hammonds, K., “Alex Randall: Planting ‘Seeds’ in the Third World,” BusinessWeek, Nov 12, 1990.
Harty, K., “Case Study: The Visa Transaction Processing System,” May 30, 1988.
Heng-Wah, C., “Google Newsgroup Re: Electronic Stamp Auction,” Jun. 17, 1994.
Hess, C. et al., “Computerized Loan Organization Systems: An Industry Case Study of the Electronic Markets Hypothesis,” MIS Quarterly, Sep. 1994, vol. 18, No. 3, p. 251-275.
Hoffman, D. et al., “Marketing in Hypermedia Computer-Mediated Environments: Conceptual Foundations,” Project 2000: Research Program on Marketing in Computer-Mediated Environments, Nov. 6, 2001.
Horst, H., [Medline via Internet], Mar. 19, 1994, Google Newsgroup: de.sci.medizin.
Hughes, K., “Entering the World-Wide Web: A Guide to Cyberspace,” Enterprise Integration Technologies, May 1994.
Iianogen@netvision.net.il, “Google Search Re: lnterLNK and InterSVR Protocol,” Jul. 21, 1995.
Individual announces revolutionary ‘Dutch Auction’ system for ads on news page web service Business Wire, p. 7241051, Jul. 24, 1995, Dialog File 148.
Internet Presence Inc., “Electronic File Directory MESCH-WAIS,” Mar. 28, 2002.
Internet Presence Inc., “MESCH: The Web's Multi-WAIS Engine for Searching Commercial Hosts,” Oct. 29, 1994.
Internet Presence, Inc., Newsgroup Posting Re: Announce: Internet ShopKeeper, Aug. 2, 1994 (03:41:48).
Internet Presence, Inc., Newsgroup Posting Re: Announce: Internet ShopKeeper, Aug. 2, 1994 04:39:28).
Internet Presence, Inc., Newsgroup Posting Re: Announce: Internet ShopKeeper, Aug. 2, 1994 (03:54:42).
Internet Presence, Inc., Newsgroup Posting Re: BETA Testers Wanted: The Internet ShopKeeper, Jul. 20, 1994, Internet Presence Publishing Corp.
Internet Presence, Inc., “Newsgroup Posting Re: Internet '95 Call for Submissions,” Mar. 23, 1995, Internet Presence & Publishing Corp.
Internet Presence, Inc., Newsgroup Posting Re: Internet Business Reply Response, Sep. 8, 1994.
Internet Presence, Inc., “Newsgroup Posting Re: Linking and Organizing,” Aug. 30, 1994.
Internet Shopping Network, “First Auction Wins the Bid for Online” Jan. 7, 2002.
Ivanh@ICONZ.CO.NZ, “Re: Internet Shopping Mall?,” Nov. 12, 1994, Google Newsgroup: alt.internet.services.
Jackson Higgins, K., “Hitchhiker's Guide: Commerce on the Net: What's the Hold Up?” Open Systems Today, Oct. 31, 1994, Issue 162.
Jackson, E., “Google Newsgroup Re: Stamp Collecting on Usenet in 1994 Part II,” Dec. 28, 1993.
Jackson, E., “Google Newsgroup Re: Stamp Collecting on Usenet in 1994 Part III,” Dec. 28, 1993.
Jackson, E., “Stamps Collecting on Usenet in 1994: Part I,” Dec. 27, 1993, Google Newsgroup: rec.collecting.
Jacoby, P., “Newsgroup Posting Re: Nice Postcard for Best Answer,” Oct. 27, 1994, AmeriData Consulting Inc.
Jaremko, G., “New Generation of Farmer Plugged into Computer Trading Centre,” Calgary Herald, Jul. 16, 1993, p. A1.
Jelassi, T., “Competing Through EDI at Brun Passot: Achievements in France and Ambitions for the Single European Market,” MIS Quarterly, Dec. 1994, p. 337-352.
Johnson et al., “Automated double oral auctions using IBM Pc network,” Association for Computing Machinery, CSC '86 Cincinnati Proceedings, p. 507, Feb. 1986.
Johnson, A., et al., “Multiple Unit Double Auction User's Manual,” California Institute of Technology, Nov. 1989.
Johnston, T., “Where to Now for Calm?” Australian Farm Journal, Apr. 1994.
Jones, R., “Digital's World-Wide Web Server: A Case Study ,” First International Conference on the World-Wide Web, Geneva, Switzerland, May 1994.
Kambil, A., et al., “Information Technology. Competition and Market Transformations: Re-engineering the Dutch Flower Actions”, Jan. 1995.
Kan, J., “Financial-Investment Software,” MACworld: Streetsmart 1.0, Feb. 8, 2002, MAC Publishing LLC.
Kaplan, J., & Intermart, [Message Confirmation], Jun. 4, 1994.
Kaplan, J., [Re: Intermart], Feb. 1, 1994.
Kaplan, J., [Status Review and Plans], Jan. 5, 1995.
Kaplan, J., [Summary of Our Meeting—Intermart Mosiac HTML—Interface Design], Dec. 7, 1994.
Kaplan, S.J., “Intermart: The Virtual Shopper's Paradise,” Intermart, Dec. 7, 1993.
Kapplin, S. et al., “An Analysis of Recent Rates of Return and of the Secondary Market for Public Real Estate Limited Partnerships,” The Journal of Real Estate Research, Fall 1986, p. 33-44.
Kareckas, L., “1 ½ Smart Talk on Bargain Finder,” Oct. 24, 1995, Google Newsgroup: ba.smartvalley, ba.announce.
Karpinski, R., “Front Ends: New Windows 95 Browsers on Tap ,” Interactive Age, Apr. 3, 1995. Issue 218.
Keith@TCP.IP.net, “Re: [isppa-1] Web Page of Service Providers,” Aug. 24, 1994.
Keith@TCP.IP.net, “Newsgroup Posing RE: Shopkeeper Beta Testing,” Jul. 14, 1994.
Keith@TCP.IP.net, Dknight@powergrid.electriciti.com, “Re: Linking and Organizing”, Aug. 30, 1994.
Keith@TCP.IP.net, Peters—Jim@tandem.com, “Order for Taste Unlimited-Savory-Sauces”, Nov. 7, 1994.
Keller, A. et al., “A Smart Catalog and Brokering Architecture for Electronic Commerce,”.
Koepper, Ken, “Room inventory auctioning: the next CRS generation.” Lodging, Jan. 1990, pp. 26-30.
Kinkade, M., “Re: DEC XL560 Pentium System for Sale,”. Jun. 2, 1994, Google Newsgroup: la.forsale, ne.forsale, nj.forsale, ny.forsale, pa.forsale, Austin.forsale, ph.
Klein, S., “Introduction to Electronic Auctions,” Focus Theme.
Klemets, A., “The Design and Implementation of a Media on Demand for System for WWW,” The Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden.
Knoblock, C. et al., “An Architecture for Information Retrieval Agents,” p. 49-56, University of Southern California.
Knoblock, C. et al., “Information Gathering From Heterogeneous Distributed Environments”, Papers from the 1995 AAAI Symposium, Mar. 27, 1995, AAAI Press.
Knowles, A., “Payment Systems Link to Internet (CyberCash Inc.'s Internet Payment Services and Checkfree Corp's Checkfree Commercial Payment Service to Be Linked With Partners)”, PC Week, Jun. 5, 2001, vol. 12, No. 22, Ziff-Davis Publishing Company.
Knowles, A., “Rival Transaction Models Emerging, On-Line Authentication Schemes Check Credit Cards or Users to Ensure Security (Open Market, Inc.'s Electronic Commerce Model and CyberCash, Inc.'s Model)”, PC Week, Mar. 27, 1995, vol. 12, No. 12, Ziff-Davis Publishing Company.
Koster, M., “ALIWEB—Archie-Like Indexing in the Web,” Mar. 16, 1994, Version 1.0, p. 1-10.
Kotay, K. et al., “Transportable Agents,” Nov. 10, 1994, p. 1-15, Dartmouth College.
Krajewski et al., “Applicability of Smart Cards to Network User Authentication,” Computing Systems, Winter 1994, vol. 7, No. 1, p. 75-89, The MITRE Corp.
Krajewski, M., “Concept for a Smart Card Kerberos,” The MITRE Corp, Bedford, MA.
Krajewski, M., “Smart Card Augmentation of Kerberos,” The MITRE Corp, Bedford, MA.
Krishnamurthy, B. et al., “Web Protocols and Practice,” HTTP/1.1, Networking Protocols, Caching, & Traffic Measurement, 2001, P. 6, Addison-Wesley Publishing.
Kutler, J. et al., “Information Superhighway: Looking More and More Like a Business Route”, American Banker, Nov. 18, 1994, vol. 159, No. 223, p. 14.
Kuttner, R., “Computers may turn the world into one big commodities pit.” Business Weed, Sep. 11, 1989, No. 3123, p. 17.
Lagoze, C. et al., “Dienst Implementation Reference Manual”, May 5, 1995, p. 1-69.
Lapp, J., “Web User Head Count”, Jun. 15, 1994, Google Newsgroup: comp.inforsystems.www.providers.
Lashkari, Y. et al., “Collaborative Interface Agents,” MIT Media Laboratory.
Ledyard, J. et al., “Using Computerized Exchange Systems to Solve an Allocation Problem in Project Management,” Journal of Organizational Computing 4(3), 1994, p. 271-296.
Ledyard, J. et al., “Using Computerized Exchange Systems to Solve an Allocation Problem in Project Management,” California Institute of Technology, Nov. 1993.
Lee, H., “AUCNET: Electronic Intermediary for Used-Car Transactions”, Focus Theme.
Lee, H., “Proceedings of the 29th Annual Hawaii International Conference on Systems Sciences—1996” Electronic Brokerage and Electronic Auction: the Impact of it on Market Structures, pp. 397-406.
Lee, R. et al., “Shopping in the Electronic Marketplace,” Journal of Management Information System, Spring 1986, vol. 2, No. 4.
Lewis, P., “Attention Shoppers: Internet is Open,” The New York Times, Aug. 12, 1994, Section: D, p. 1 col. 3.
Lichty, T., “The Official America Online for Macintosh Tour Guide,” 1994, 2nd Edition, Ventana Press.
Lichty, T., “The Official America Online for Windows Tour Guide,” 1993, 1st Edition, Ventana Press.
Lichty, T., “The Official America Online for Windows Tour Guide,” 1994, 2nd Edition, Ventana Press.
Lietzke, R., “Outsider Buys Into Checkfree Tribune Co. of Chicago Purchases Minority Stake in Bill-Payment Firm,” The Columbus Dispatch, Dec. 6, 1994.
Lindsey, D. et al., “TELCOT: An Application of Information Technology for Competitive Advantage in the Cotton Industry,” MIS Quarterly, Dec. 1990, p. 347-357.
Liss, K., “Tradewinds vol. 1.3 (Monthly Round-Up of Internet Coverage in Trade and Industry Magazine),” Dec. 19, 1994, Google Newsgroup: bit.listserv.buslib-1.
Lucianovic, WM., “Re: Stamp Auctionc Via Internet???” Apr. 19, 1995, Google Newsgroup: rec.collecting.stamps.
Lucking-Reiley, D., “Using Field Experiments to Test Equivalence Between Auction Formats: Magic on the Internet,” The America Economic Review, Dec. 1999, p. 1063-1080.
Lynch, M. et al., “Product Quality, Information Efficiency, and Regulations in Experimental Markets,” Research in Experimental Economics, 1991, p. 269-318.
Lynch, S., “Online // Get Ready to Shop, Bank Safely on Net,” The Orange County Register, Jun. 5, 1995.
Maa, M. et al., “Recent Improvements in the NASA Technical Report Servers,” Oct. 1995, p. 1-10, http://techreports.larc.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/NTRS.
Machrone, B., “Digital Cash Options Need a Closer Look (Online Banking Transactions) (Up Periscope),” PC Week, Apr. 10, 1995, vol. 12, No. 14, Ziff-Davis Publishing.
Maes, P., “Modeling Adaptive Autonomous Agents,” MIT Media-Laboratory.
Maes, P., “Intelligent Agents: Agents that Reduce Work and Information Overload,” Communications of the ACM, Jul. 19, 2000, vol. 37, No. 7.
Malcolm, K., “Newsgroup Posting Re: Real Estate Related WWW Providers Wanted . . . ” Nov. 3, 1994.
Malcolm, K., Internet Presence, Inc., Newsgroup Posting Re: Web Page of Service Providers, Aug. 24, 1994.
Malone, P., “Re: How to Access CompuServe? The Answer,” May 13, 1995, Google Newsgroup: comp.graphics.packages.3dstudio.
Malone, T. et al., “The Logic of Electronic Markets,” Harvard Business Review, May-Jun. 1989, pp. 166-169.
Malone, T. et al., “Electronic Markets and Electronic Hierarchies,” Communications of the ACM, Jun. 1987, vol. 14, Issue 25.
Maly, K. et al., “Wide Area Technical Report Service,” Final Report, National Science Foundation, Apr. 30, 1994, 12 pages (pp. 1-6, with Figures).
Maly, K. et al., “Wide Area Technical Report Service,” Waters Technical Report, Apr. 30, 1994, http://archive.ncsa.edu/SDG/IT94/Proceedings/Databases/maly/maly/html.
Marien, GK., “Google Search Subject Stamps List Update,” Nov. 2, 1992, Google Newsgroup: rec.collecting.rec.collecting.stamps.
Martin et al., “Sold! The professional's guide to real estate auctions.” Published by Kathleen A. Welton, 1991, p. 247-248.
Maskery, M., “Car auction reaches into space.” Automotive News, Dialog File 16, Accession No. 03482064, Nov. 25, 1991, p. 6.
Massimb, M. et al., “Electronic Trading, Market Structure and Liquidity,” Financial Analysts Journal, Feb. 1994, vol. 80, No. 1, p. 39-51.
Mayega, V., “WWW.Mall of the Future,” From the Moment (Dec. 7, 1994) Jan. 7, 2002, p. 7.
McBryan, O., “GENVL and WWWW: Tools for Taming the Web,” Apr. 19, 2000.
McCarthy, Gene, “The electronic auctioning of servicing,” Mortgage Banking, Dec. 1994,p. 95-98.
McKee, D., “Towards Better Integration of Dynamic Search Technology and the World-Wide Web”.
Medvinsky, G. et al.,“Netcash: A Design for Practical Electronic Currency on the Internet,” Information Sciences Institute University of Southern California.
Mendez, M., “Google Search Subject: Free Personal Ads,” Feb. 10, 1995, Google Newsgroup: alt.personals.
Merrill, K., “GE Capital to Extend Integrator Buying Spree”, Computer Reseller News, pp. 2 and 32, Jul. 1996.
Metcalfe, R., “From the Ether Internet Digital Cash, Don't Leave Your Home Page Without It,” InfoWorld, Mar. 13, 1995, vol. 17, Issue 11.
Miller, M., “Netbill (@) —Credit Cards on the Net,” Dec. 22, 1994, Google Newsgroup: comp.org.cpsr.talk.
Mockapetris, P., “RFC1034: Domain Names—Concepts and Facilities,” Nov. 1987.
Mockapetris, P., “RFC1035: Domain Names—Implementation and Specification,” Nov. 1987.
Montanaro, S., Newsgroup Posting Re: Automatrix Announces its World Wide Web Server, Sep. 3, 1994, GE Corporation Research and Development, Schenectady, NY.
Morgan, J., “No-Cost, No-Hassle Programs for Trading Funds From Home,” NewsDay, Inc., Oct. 2, 1994, Section: Money & Careers, p. 6.
Morris, M., “Newsgroup Posting Re: Big-WWW Service Providers List,” Aug. 31, 1994, Finesse Liveware.
Morton, I., “The Future Looks Used Car-Friendly,” Evening Standard, London, Nov. 24, 1994.
Mulqueen, J.T., “Checkfree Asks IPO Investors to Underwrite $50M Offering,” Communications Week, Sep. 25, 1995, Issue 576.
Murray, E., “Re: SSL/STLP Winsock Implementation,” Aug. 13, 1996.
National Westminster Bank, “Clearing House Automated Payments System”.
NCSA: Mosaic and the Web Conference Oct. 14, 1994—“WWW 94 Vendor Exhibits”.
Neches, A. (University of Southern CA), “FAST-A Research Project in Electronic Commerce,” Electronic Markets, No. 9-10, Oct. 19, 2000, pp. 25-28.
Needham, R., Adding Capability Access to Conventional File Servers,: Xerox Palo Alto Research Center, p. 3-4.
Nelson, M. et al., “The Widest Practicable Dissemination: The NASA Technical Report Server,” 1995.
Nelson, M. et al., “Electronic Document Distribution: Design of the Anonymous FTP Langley Technical Report Server ,” NASA Technical Memorandum 4567, Mar. 1994.
Nelson, M. et al., “World Wide Web Implementation of the Langley Technical Report Server,” NASA Technical Memorandum 109162, Sep. 5, 1994.
Nelson, M.L. et al., “The World Wide Web and Technology Transfer at NASA Langley Research Center,” Oct. 21, 1994, Proceedings of the Second International World Wide Web Conference: Mosaic and the Web, Chicago, IL, Oct. 19-21, 1994, p. 701-710.
Neo, B., “The Implementation of an Electronic Market for Pig Trading in Singapore,” The Journal of Strategic Information Systems, Dec. 1992, vol. I, No. 5.
Neuman, B.C., “Proxy-Based Authorization and Accounting for Distributed Systems,” May 1993, Proceeding of the 13th International Conference on Distributed Computing Systems, Pittsburgh.
Neuss, C. et al., “Lost in Hyperspace Free Text Searches in the Web,” Fraunhofer Institute for Computer Graphics.
Nimmer, R., “Electronic Contracting: Legal Issues,” Journal of Computer and Information Law vol. XVI, pp. 211-246 (1996).
Nishihara et al., “A new scheme of connectionless transmission over ATM with scalability and cut-through technique.” XVI World Telecom Congress Proc. Sep. 21, 1997, p. 199-206.
Oakland, A., “Transcript of Jun. 11 NBC Story on Cyber Selling,” Jun. 16, 1994, Newsgroup: news.admin.misc.
Obraczka, K. et al., “Internet Resource Discovery”, Sep. 1993, p. 8-22.
O'Dell, J., “Automobiles,” The Los Angeles Times, Aug. 23, 1994.
Okamoto, T. et al., “Universal Electronic Cash ,” p. 324-337, NTT Laboratories.
Omidyar, P., “Google Newsgroup Re: Auction Web: Interactive Web Auction,” Sep. 12, 1995.
Omiya, E., “Google Newsgroup Re: Electronic Stamp Auction,” Jun. 19, 1994.
Paradigm Shift Corporation, “DEC XL560 Pentium for Sale”, May 31, 1994, Google Newsgroup: la.forsale; ne.forsale; nj.forsale; ny.forsale; pa.forsale; austin.forsale; ph.
Pelline, J., “Travelers bidding on airline tickets: SF firm offers chance for cut-rate fares,” The San Francisco Chronicle, Aug. 19, 1991, Section A4.
Peniston, B. et al., “Intro to Internet Digital Dollars on the Internet,” Apr. 16, 1995 Section: Business, p. B5.
Pfitzmann, B. et al., “How to Break and Repair a ‘Provably Secure’ Untraceable Payment System,” p. 338-350.
Picard, J., “Re: Bob's First Internet Stamp Auction,” Apr. 26, 1995, Google Newsgroup: rec.collecting.stamps.
Plott, C., Social Science Working Paper 783 “A Computerized Laboratory Market System & Research Support Systems for the Multiple Unit Double Auction, ” Division of the Humanities and Social Sciences California Institute of Technology, Nov. 19, 2000.
Porter, D., “Trading in a Pure Exchange Economy Without Auctioneer: An Experimental Approach,” California Institute of Technology, Mar. 1993.
Post, D. et al., “Application of Auctions as a Pricing Mechanism for the Interchange of Electric Power,” IEEE Transactions on Power Systems, Aug. 1995, vol. 10, No. 3, p. 1580-1584.
Putz, S., “Interactive Information Services Using World Wide Web Hypertext,” Apr. 20, 1994, Prepared for First International Conference on World-Wide Web, May 25-27, 1994, Geneva, Switzerland.
Raeder, A., “Internet World 95: An Eyewitness Report,” Information Today, May 1, 1995.
Rangaswamy, A., “New Production Development (NPD) Turbo-Charged by the Internet”.
Rayport, J., “Managing in the Market Place,” 2002 Harvard Business Review, Nov./Dec. 1994, p. 141.
Reck, M. et al., “Types of Electronics Auctions,” 1992, p. 236-243.
Reck, M., “Formally Specifying an Automated Trade Execution System,” The Journal of Systems and Software, 1993, vol. 21, Elsevier Science Publishing, USA.
Reck, M., “Trading-Process Characteristics of Electronic Auctions,” Focus Theme.
Rescorla, E. et al., “The Secure Hypertext Transfer Protocol,” Enterprise Integration Technologies, Jun. 1994.
Resnick, P. et al., “Twenty-Second Annual Telecommunications Policy Research Conference: Papers Section 2,” Oct. 1-3, 1994, p. 1-23, Solomons, MD.
Ritter, J., “Scope of the uniform commercial code: computer contracting cases and electronic commercial practices,” 45 Bus. Law. 2533, Aug. 1990.
Rockoff, T. et al., “Design of an Internet-Based System for Remote Dutch Auctions,” Internet Research Electronic Networking Application and Policy, 1995, vol. 5, No. 4, p. 10-16, MCB University Press.
Rodriguez, K., “Netscape Upgrades Web Servers; Offers New Apps to Enable Commerce,” InforWorld, Mar. 27, 1995, Section: Top of the News, p. 12.
Lifton, Ron, “RND's ethernet bouter family—an inside look, computer communications, product description”, vol. 12 (5), Oct. 1989, pp. 288-294.
Rossler, M. et al., “Intelligent Agents: Software Servants for an Electronic Information World and More,” Online, Jul. 1, 1994.
Rubin, B., “Google Newsgroup Re: Newsday Online/Software,” Nov. 30, 1994.
Sackman, G., Newsgroup Posting Re: Think Big! Products WWW Site from WorldMart™, Nov. 10, 1994, CERFnet.
Safdar, S. J., “(FAQ) Internet Parental Control,” Aug. 8, 1995, Google Newsgroup: comp org eff talk comp org cpsr talk alt wired alt politics datahighway.
Sandberg, J., “Business Brief: Electronic Check-Payment Plan for the Internet to be Developed,” The Wall Street Journal, Aug. 23, 1995.
Sandberg, J., “Cybercash Receives Clearance to Expert Payment Software,” The Wall Street Journal, May 8, 1995.
Sandberg, J., “Electronic Check Payment Plan in Development for the Internet,” The Asian Wall Street Journal, Aug. 24, 1995.
Sandberg, J., “Firms to Allow Internet Buying by Credit Card,” The Wall Street Journal Europe, Nov. 14, 1994.
Sandberg, J., “MasterCard Aims to Link Internet with Credit Cards,” The Wall Street Journal, Jan. 10, 1995.
Sandberg, J., “MasterCard Fires Back in Dispute Over the Internet,” The Wall Street Journal, Oct. 5, 1995.
Sandberg, J., “MasterCard, Backed by IBM and Others, Enters Fight for Internet-Payment Rules,” The Wall Street Journal, Oct. 4, 1995.
Sandberg, J., “Mosaic, First Data in Move to Project Credit Card Transactions on lnternet,” The Wall Street Journal, Nov. 14, 1994.
Sandberg, J., “New Internet Security Lapse Raises Concern for Businesses Using the Web,” The Wall Street Journal, Feb. 21, 1995.
Sandberg, J., “System Planned for Shopping on the Internet,” Sep. 13, 1994.
Sandberg, J., “US Browsers Will be Able to Pay Online, But Security is a Concern,” Sep. 14, 1994.
Sandholm, T. et al., “Issues in Automated Negotiation and Electronic Commerce: Extending the Contract Net Framework,” University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
Santalesa, R., “Internet Security Standards Take Shape at Last; Web Commerce to Increase; Issues of Responsibility Remain,” Computer Shopper from Edwire, Jul. 1, 1995, vol. 15, No. 7.
Schmid, B., “Electronic Markets; Intelligent Electronic Trading for Commodity Exchanges; Telematic Services in Finland; Information Logistics; Organizational Factors of Success in Using EDIS: A Survey of Tradent Participants; Computer Integrated Logistics; Electronic Trading Networks: The Route to Competitive Advantage The EDI World Institute: An International Approach; [others],” Electronic Markets, Oct. 1993, No. 9/10, University of Saint Gailen.
Schmidt, B., “Research Issues: Electronic Markets,” Electronic Markets—Development of Electronic Commerce, Oct. 1993, No. 9/10, University of St. Gallen, Switzerland.
Schmitz, T. “California computer auctions—no boon for bargain hunters,” Knight-Ridder/Tribune Business News, Sep. 13, 1993, Dialog File 609, Accession No. 2096205.
Schrage, M., “An experiment in economic theory: labs testing real markets,” The Los Angeles Times, Nov. 26, 1989, Section B1.
Schwartz, M. “Internet Resource Discovery at the University of Colorado,” Oct. 1992.
Schwartz, M. et al., “A Comparison of Internet Resource Discovery Approaches,” University of Colorado, Aug. 1992.
Siegman, K., “Nowhere to Go But Up,” PC Week, Oct. 23, 1995, vol. 12, No. 42, p. 45.
Simmons, B., “Trivia for Money re: Online Gaming for Cash Prizes,” Dec. 17, 1995, Google Newsgroup: rec games trivia.
Sinton, P., “Allowance Trading: Electronic Auction Exceeds Expectations,” Environment and Energy Publishing, LLC, Apr. 27, 1995.
Siong, N., “Hog Auction market: Managing Implementation Resistance,” Singapore Business Development series, 1996, pp. 252-275.
Siong, N. B. et al., “Online Trading at the Singapore Hog Auction Market (Ham),” Department of Computer Science, Australia National university, www.anu.edu.au, Jul. 25, 1992, Xamax Consultancy Pry. Ltd., Canberra.
Sirbu, M., “Internet Billing Server Prototype Scope Document in Technical Report 1993-,” Carnegie Mellon University Oct. 14, 1993.
Sirbu, M., “Internet Billing Service Design and Prototype Implementation”.
Sirbu, V., (Illegible) “Electronic Wallet”.
Sjolin, M., “WWW Front End to an OODBMS.” Sweden.
Smith, B., “Internet Marketing Re: Credit Card Transactions on the Net,” Nov. 22, 1994.
Smith, N., “What Can Archives Offer the World Wide Web,” University of Kent at Canterbury, Mar. 22, 1994.
Smith, P. et al., “Electronic Marketing of Fisheries Products,” Australia, ABARE, Mar. 1995.
Smith, V. et al., “Competitive Market Institutions: Double Auctions vs Sealed Bid-Offer Auctions,” The American Economic Review, Mar. 1982, vol. 72, No. 1.
Smith, V. et al., “On Nonbinding Price Controls in a Competitive Market,” The American Economic Review Jun. 1981, vol. 71, No. 3.
Smith, V., “Auctions, Bidding and Contracting: Uses and Theory—An Experimental Comparison of Alternative Rules for Competitive Market Exchange,” New York University Press, Jul. 1980, pp. 30-334.
Solomon, S., “Staking a Claim on the Internet,” Nov. 1996.
Sommerfeld, W. “Newsgroup Posting Re: Registration on the Internet,” Apr. 19, 1995, Hewlett Packard-Chelmsford Site.
Speidel, R. et al., “Impact of electronic contracting on contract formation under revised UCC Article 2, Sales,” C878 ALI-ABA 335, Dec. 9, 1993.
Stefano, C. et al., “Distributed Databases: An Overview,” 1984, p. 1-17 & 47-54, McGraw-Hill, Inc.
Steinar, K., Newsgroup Posting Re: Making freeWAIS Easy to Setup\Configure, Aug. 31, 1994.
Tao-Yang Wong, W., “FYI: CommerceNet Press Release,” WTWONG@Eit.Com, Telecom Digest, Apr. 27, 1994, vol. 14, ISSN:185.
Tara, J., et al. “AOL Screen Name, Trial Account Abuse and Usenet (was Re: Warning: for Sale Fraud),” Jul. 7, 1994.
Tatters, W., “Navigating the Internet with CompuServe,” Sams.net Publishing, 1st Edition, 1995.
Taylor, D., Newsgroup Posting Re: The Internet Mall: Shopping the Information Highway, Sep. 15, 1994, NetCom: The Internet Connection for the Rest of Us.
Taylor, D., Newsgroup Posting Re: The Internet Mall: Shopping the Information Highway, Oct. 16, 1994, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH.
Tenenbaum, J. et al., “Development of Network Infrastructure and Services for Rapid Acquisition,” Jan. 2, 1992.
Tenenbaum, J. et al., “Digest of Papers COMPCON '95—CommerceNet: Spontaneous Electronic Commerce on the Internet,” Technologies for the Information Super Highway, Mar. 5-9, 1995, San Francisco, CA.
Tetzeli, R., “Electronic Storefronts on the Internet,” Fortune, Nov. 28, 1994, p. 191.
Thomas, C.M., “57 Northeast Mitsubishi Dealers Try Out Computerized Auctions,” Automotive News, Sep. 19, 1994.
Race, Tim, “The debate over electronic bidding reaches Washington.” The New York Times, Oct. 6, 1991, p. 12, col. 1.
Titch, S. et al., “If you Build It, Will They Come? Information Service Providers Say the Market is There. All They Need is a Way to Deliver the Information”, Telephony, Jun. 15, 1992, vol. 222, No. 24, Intertec Publishing Corporation.
Tjostheim, I. et al., “A Case Study of an Online Auction for the World Wide Web,” Norwegian Computing Center.
Toner, A., “Hogs Sold in High-Tech Market Bidders Linked Through Satellite,” Omaha World-Herald Farmer Writer, Sep. 11, 1994.
Tucker, J.,, “Google Search Re: Enter 13 Zip Entertainment Listing Service for Wildcat BBS,” Realty.Com, Oct. 14, 1995.
Turban, E., “Auctions and Bidding on the Internet: An Assessment,” Focus Theme, California State University, Long Beach.
Van Heck, E. et al., “Experiences with Electronic Auctions in the Dutch Flower Industry,” Focus Theme, Erasmus University, The Netherlands.
Verity, J., “Truck Lanes for the Information Highway,” The McGraw Hill Publishers, Apr. 18, 1994, p. 112.
Verity, J.W., “The Internet, How it Will Change the Way You Do Business,” Business Week, Nov. 14, 1994, pp. 80-88, McGraw Hill Publication.
Buckman, A., Viacom to auction ‘Cosby’ spots. “Electronic business.” (Feb. 1, 1998), pp. 1-4.
Voelker, et al., “Mobisaic: an information system for a mobile wireless computing environment” 1995 IEEE, pp. 185-190, Seattle, WA.
Von Rosen, E., “The Evolving Electronic Commerce,” Intranets: AMG, Apr. 26, 1995.
Voydock, V., “Security Mechanisms in High Level Network Protocols,” 1983.
Wagner, M., “Online Cash and Credit Move Closer to Reality,” Open Systems Today, Feb. 20, 1995, Issue 169, CMF Publications.
Wan, Jack, “Google Newsgroup Re: Electronic Stamp Auction,” Jun. 12, 1994.
Warwick, M., “Inside Broadcast (business television)”, Communications International, Oct. 1, 1994, vol. 21, No. 10, ISSN:0305-2109.
Wayne, L., “The Next Giant in Mutual Finds?” New York Times (Late Edition), Mar. 20, 1994.
Wellman, M.P., “A Market-Oriented Programming Environment and Its Application to Distributed Multicommodity Flow Problems, ” Journal of Artificial Intelligence Research, May 1993.
Whitmore, S., “Business on the net: the new gold rush.” PC Week, vol. 12, No. 43, p. 106, Oct. 30, 1995.
Whitmore, S., “Innovative Schemes for Business Online Marketplace,” PC Week—Special Report, Oct. 30, 1995, No. 106.
Williams, A.W., “Computerized Double-Auction Markets: Some Initial Experimental Results,” The Journal of Business, Jul. 1980, vol. 53, No. 3, Part I, The University of Chicago Press.
Windley, P.J., “Newsgroup Re: Webb Mall,” Sep. 15, 2000, Laboratory for Applied Logic Brigham Young University.
Windley, P.J., “Newsgroup Re: *** Announce: Deals of the WWW Server ***”, Oct. 20, 1994, Laboratory for Applied Logic Brigham Young University.
Wirbel, L. et al., “Two Move to Make Internet Safe for Commerce—Security Schemes Bow,” Electronic Engineering Times, Apr. 17, 1995, Issue 844.
Wong, W. et al., “Developing an Internet Presence with On-Line Electronic Catalogs,” Oct. 9, 1994, p. 1-4.
Woodruff, M., “Electronic Auction,” Resources Technology, May 1985.
Wright et al., “Is it time to travel the auction route?” Real Estate Today v. 24 (8), p. 46.
Zecher, J., “Commerce With Caution on the Internet,” Wall Street and Technology, pp. 32-36, vol. 12 No. 1.
Ziegler, B. et al., “How the Internet Put the Squeeze on Intel's Chip”, The Wall Street Journal Europe, Dec. 29, 1994.
Ziegler, B. et al., “Intel Case Shows the Internet's Potential as a Tool of Consumer Dissent,” The Asian Wall Street Journal Technology Section, Dec. 28, 1994,Dow Jones & Co., Inc.
Ziegler, B. et al., “Online: Online Snits Fomenting Online Storms,” The Wall Street Journal, Dec. 23, 1994, Dow Jones & Co., Inc.
Znidarsic, J., “History of the Auction: The Auction Today”, Auction Watch.
Zwass, V., “Electronic Commerce: Structures and Issues,” International Journal of Electronic Commerce, Fall 1996, voll. 1, No. 1, pp. 3-23.
Order and Opinion regarding Motions for Summary Judgment, dated Oct. 21, 2002.
MercExchange's Opposition to eBay's Motion for Summary Judgment of Noninfringement and Unenforceability of U.S. Patent No. 6,202,051 & Appendix of Exhibits to Its Brief in Opposition to eBay's Motion for Summary Judgment, (Filed Under Seal), filed by MercExchange on Dec. 3, 2002.
“Order & Opinion regarding the Markman Hearing,” dated Oct. 18, 2002.
“Order and Opinion Denying the Plaintiff's Motion to Reconsider,” dated Jan. 13, 2003.
“Order and Opinion regarding eBay's Motion to Amend,” dated Oct. 21, 2002.
Crocker, S.D., “Post-Markman Rebuttal Supplementation of Stephen D. Crocker,” filed by eBay on Dec. 23, 2002.
“eBay Inc.'s Memorandum in Support of eBay's Post-Markman Motion for Summary Judgment of Noninfringement and Unenforceability of U.S. Patent No. 6,202,051,” (Filed Under Seal) by eBay Nov. 15, 2002.
“eBay Inc.'s Reply Memorandum in Support of eBay's Post-Markman Motion for Summary Judgment of Noninfringement and Unenforceability of U.S. Patent No. 6,202,051,” (Filed Under Seal) by eBay on Dec. 13, 2002.
Keller, A.M., “Supplement Expert Report of Dr. Arthur M. Keller addressing Invalidity in View of the Court's Markman and Summary Judgment Rulings, the Subsequent Opinions of Drs. Weaver & Palmer, and Noninfringement in the View of the court's Markman Ruling,” filed by eBay on Dec. 23, 2002.
Maly, K., “Post-Markman Supplemental Expert Report of Kurt Maly Regarding Noninfringement and Invalidity of US Patent No. 6, 085,176,” (Portions of this document have been redacted), filed by eBay on Dec. 20, 2002.
Plott, C. L., “Post-Markman Supplementation/Rebuttal of Charles L. Plott,” filed by eBay on Dec. 17, 2002.
Plott, C. R., “Expert Repot of Charles R. Plot,” filed by eBay on Jun. 10, 2002.
Wellman, M. P., “Post-Markman Supplemental Expert Reports of Michael P. Wellman, Ph.D., on the Invalidity and Noninfringement of US Patent No. 5,845,265,” (Portions of this document have been redacted), filed by eBay on Dec. 23, 2002.
Weaver, A.C., “Rebuttal Expert Report of Alfred C. Weaver Regarding Allegations of Invalidity of U.S. Patent No. 6,202,051 and U.S. Patent No. 5,845,265,” filed by MercExchange on Jun. 28, 2002.
'Wellman, M. P., “Expert Report of Michael P. Wellman, Ph.D. Concerning the Invalidity of U.S. Patent No. 5,845,265,” filed by eBay, Returnbuy and Half.com on Jun. 7, 2002.
Clarification Order Denying eBay's Motion for Summary Judgment that Claims 12, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27, 30, 31, 32, 34, 35 of Patent '051 as well as the Joint Motion for Summary Judgment brought by the Defendants, that claims 1, 4, 5, 8, 10, 13, 115, 17, 20, 22, 23, 26 of Patent '265 are Invalid for lack of Novelty and Obviousness dated Jul. 25, 2002.
Crocker, S.D., “Expert Repot of Stephen D. Crocker,” filed by eBay on Jun. 10, 2002.
Dickinson, Q.T., “Rebuttal Expert Report of Q. Todd Dickinson,” filed by MercExchange on Jun. 28, 2002.
Dickinson, Q.T., “Expert Report of Q. Todd Dickinson,” filed by MercExchange on Jun. 10, 2002.
Frieder, O., “Rebuttal Expert Report of Ophir Frieder Regarding Defendants' Allegations of Invalidity of U.S. Patent No. 6,085,176,” filed by MercExchange on Jun. 28, 2002.
Keller, A.M., “Expert Report of Arthur M. Keller,” filed by eBay on Jun. 9, 2002.
Keller, A.M., “Supplemental Expert Report of Dr. Arthur M. Keller,” (Portions of this document have been redacted), filed by eBay on Aug. 30, 2002.
Maly, K. “Expert Report of Kurt Maly,” filed by eBay and Half.com on Jun. 10, 2002.
Mossinghoff, G.J., “Expert Report of Hon. Gerald J. Mossinghoff ,” filed by eBay, Half.com and ReturnBuy on Sep. 20, 2002.
Palmer, J. W., “Rebuttal Expert Report of Jonathan W. Palmer Regarding Allegations of Invalidity,” filed by MercExchange on Jun. 28, 2002.
Shamos, M.I., “Expert Report of Michael Ian Shamos Regarding Materiality of Prior Art References Not Disclosed by Patentee,” filed by eBay on Sep. 23, 2002.
Shamos, M. I., “Expert Report of Michael Ian Shamos,” filed by eBay on Jun. 10, 2002.
Primary Examiner:
ALLEN, WILLIAM J
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
SCHWEGMAN LUNDBERG & WOESSNER/EBAY (MINNEAPOLIS, MN, US)
Parent Case Data:
This application is a continuing application, and claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. §120, of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/427,820, filed Apr. 26, 1995 now abandoned.
Claims:
The invention claimed is:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Description:
This application is a continuing application, and claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. §120, of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/427,820, filed Apr. 26, 1995 now abandoned.
The present invention relates to used and collectible goods offered for sale by an electronic network of consignment stores. More specifically, the present invention may be an electronic “market maker” for collectable and used goods, a means for electronic “presentment” of goods for sale, and an electronic agent to search the network for hard to find goods.
Certain items and used goods have a large following of collectors. These items include baseball cards, dolls, pens, watches, comic books, stamps, coins, and the like. It is well known to establish shops specializing in these items. It is also well-known to establish boards for the sale of used goods. And is known to sell new goods on a special television channel like the Home Shopping Channel.
The prior art does not provide a means to electronically market used goods or provide an avenue to allow participants to speculate on the price of collectable or used goods in an electronic market place. Thus, to address the short comings of the art the present invention has the following objectives:
To establish a computer means for a used good store or consignment store to sell used goods and collectibles electronically and to provide the automatic electronic re-sale of goods purchased.
To establish a market for goods with a dominant electronic “market maker” node to allow collectors to speculate on the collectable goods market.
To provide the excitement of a “live” auction house type atmosphere to remote participants in a electronic auction.
To provide data analysis to the market makers of collectable good or consignment node users on the price, price movements, and quantity of collectable goods in the virtual market.
To provide an electronic agent interface for participants to search a plurality of consignment nodes to search for a used good or collectable item.
To provide a means to track down the owner of a particular used or collectable good.
Further, to provide a trusted network of consignment nodes to provide a means to electronically present a used good or collectable to an electronic market.
The present invention is a network of consignment nodes. A consignment node is a computer database of used goods preferably operated by a used good, collectable shop keeper or a bailee. All consignment nodes users or operators, hereinafter users, are “trusted” licensees or franchisers of the software and hardware necessary to create and operate a consignment node. Thus, the network provides a trusted means for consignment node users, e.g. shop keepers, to establish electronic markets for collectable goods, establish electronic auctions, establish a means for searching each others shops to locate hard to find collectibles items, and a means to electronically present goods to a market. The present invention will allow, or license, certain consignments nodes to become a dominant market maker for a particular class of goods, for example, a consignment node franchise may be given the rights to establish the dominant market for collectable antique pens. Other consignment nodes, after taking physical possession of a good, may make an electronic presentment of that good to such a dominant consignment node market. Thus, a local collector of antique pens may bring a pen to a convenient consignment node in small town, USA, the consignment network would allow this collector to electronically “present” his pen to the dominant market make node for antique pens in for example, Chicago. Participants, e.g. customers and collectors (hereinafter “participants”), may reach a dominant node's market, or any other consignment nodes electronic store, from his or her home by logging on from a PC located at the participant's home to their locally operated consignment node and reaching the distant consignment node through the network of consignment nodes. Thus, each consignment node user, e.g. shop keeper, has a potential participant, i.e. customer base, of all consignment node participants. In other words, a potentially huge customer base that incurs the minimal cost of a local consignment node connection may reach any other consignment node through the consignment node network. And local collector's may economically participate in the collectable markets by using local access to a convenient consignment node “trusted” bailee, and electronically presenting collectable goods to a dominant market.
A consignment node in a simple form may have a computer 10, a digital camera 12, a bar code scanner 14, a display 16, a printer 20, a keyboard 18, a database 22 and a network connection 26 collectively called hereinafter a consignment node. The present invention also has a user interface application program to execute an a user or participant's data terminal 28.
The consignment node may have four modes of operation: a software download mode, an auction mode, a market mode, and an agent mode. The software download mode allows a participant to log into the consignment node and receive a download of a participant interface application program. The auction mode allows a participant, from the participant interface application program, to log into a consignment node to partake in an electronic auction. The market mode allows a participant with the participant interface program to log into a consignment node to browse the consignment node database to search for a used or collectable good. The agent mode allows a participant to log into a consignment node to formulate a search request for a particular used good or collectable. The consignment node may search its own database for the requested good and/or generate agents to search and report back a search request of other consignment nodes.
The present invention may allow a participant to electronically purchase goods from a consignment node and to select whether the good should be shipped to a participant designed location or the participant may take electronic legal ownership of a good and post a new participant defined offer or reserve price. By the interaction of a plurality of participants buying and selling collectibles on a consignment node, posting “buy at” and “sell at” quantities and prices the consignment node may establish a market or become a “market maker” for collectable goods. A participant may also elect to electronically transfer or present a good to a different consignment node or market. This allows a participant to speculate with collectable goods on the consignment node network's different markets and not incur the shipping costs with physically moving the goods, while providing a trusted means to assure potential buyers of the good's bona fide availability.
The consignment node operator or purveyor, hereinafter referred to as the consignment node user, establishes his consignment node by creating a database of used goods or collectibles, hereinafter the term “goods” shall be used to reflect used goods, new goods and, collectibles. The user takes the first good to be put on the database and invokes the consignment node software to create a data record. For example, the user owns a baseball card collector shop and the user wants to post his Babe Ruth collection. The user in this instance invokes the consignment node to “build the database mode” and the invention initializes the digital camera 15. The user then “photographs” or digitizes the image of the particular Babe Ruth card. The consignment system then displays an empty database record on the display to accept text information concerning the card.
The user fills out the display record with information concerning the particular Babe Ruth card. The consignment node verifies that enough information has been filled out in the displayed computer record, as well known to the electronic database arts, and accepts the record. It should be noted that the consignment node database record has data fields for the consignment node user to add value to his consignment node postings with subjective information such as condition of the card, special features such as autographed by Babe Ruth, and the like. Thus, the consignment node user may build business goodwill into his particular consignment node operation by establishing his own particular subjectivity and quality standards in item postings.
After the data record or the particular Babe Ruth card is accepted by the consignment node the system may print out a bar code label on the printer 20. The user may then put the particular Babe Ruth card into a plastic bag and affix the bar code label to the bag. The bar code labeling system becomes a useful inventory management tool discussed below.
It is understood in this first example that the consignment node user is the legal and equitable owner of the Babe Ruth card and that the user posted a reserve or offer price on the particular card at his posting. In a second illustrative example, a local resident would like to post, for example, his Frank Robinson baseball card. The resident brings his Frank Robinson card to the baseball card store and tells the consignment node user he would like to offer his Frank Robinson card for a consignment sale. Again, the consignment node user invokes the system database posting mode and “photographs” the Frank Robinson card with digital camera 12. As above, the user fills in the system generated display prompt for information concerning the Frank Robinson card. The resident informs the user of the reserve or offer price and signs or agrees to a consignment contract with the consignment node user to accept the consignment terms to pay the consignment node user on the sale of the card, for example 6%, of sales price as a consignment fee. Again, the system may print the appropriate bar code for the Frank Robinson card. The consignment node user then takes possession of the card and may affix the bar code label to an appropriate cardholder. It should be noted by the consignment node user may again “add value” to his consignment node by entering subjective criteria in the database entry for authenticity, condition, special attributes and the like. The participant or local resident may now electronically present his Frank Robinson card to any consignment node, consignment node auction or consignment node market maker in the consignment node network.
These processes may be repeated again and again to establish a substantial database of goods for sale. It should be noted that the consignment node user may at his discretion take postings from reputable dealers or collectors via a facsimile machine or other forms of electronic or verbal presentment of a good for sale. It is within the sound discretion of an individual consignment node user to establish these practices. It is within the scope of the invention, however, to take electronic postings from other consignment node users or individuals over the network, as discussed below. Each consignment node user may be a franchisee of a central franchiser and the franchiser may police the network to give quality control, detect fraud and revoke the franchises or licenses of poor quality consignment node users. Thus, the consignment node is a “trusted” network for consignment node users providing value to the network by imposing a quality and performance structure on the consignment nodes.
The Sale
A buyer, hereinafter participant, may electronically log onto a consignment node via a network connection by use of a PC with participant interface software, through an interactive television application, workstation or the like. The network connection drivers for the consignment node are discussed in detail below. The participant may enter the browse node and peruse the consignment node database of goods. It is understood that the participant may receive the image taken with a digital camera 12 of the goods at the participant terminal. The participant, upon finding for example the above-posted Frank Robinson card may decide to purchase the card. The participant may present electronic payment to the consignment node by entering a credit card number and expiration date or other forms of electronic payment. It is understood that a secure and/or encrypted means may be established between a participant's interface application and a consignment node to transfer sensitive or theft prone information. Moreover, a participant may establish an account with his local consignment node to be debited and credited with the funds used and generated with his transactions.
The consignment node may, for example, clear the transaction by charging the participant's charge card account and crediting the consignment node store account by well-known credit card clearing techniques. After the consignment node has cleared the transaction the system electronically transfers ownership of the Frank Robinson card to the participant. The participant may then be presented with the choice of directing the delivery of the Frank Robinson card to a desired location or may choose to post a new reserve or offer price for the card and direct the card to remain in the possession of the consignment node user. Thus, the consignment node allows a participant to speculate on the price of the Frank Robinson card and establishes an electronic market for the Frank Robinson card. It is understood that the consignment node may have many Frank Robinson cards available, thus by the interaction of collectors electronically buying and selling the collectibles it will establish a market price for a Frank Robinson card or any other good. For each transaction, the consignment node user extracts the small consignment fee, e.g., 6% of the sales price, thus the consignment node user directly benefits from operating a reputable consignment node. If the participant elects to take delivery of the purchased goods then the consignment node may track the delivery and ownership of this good to this particular participant in a data record. This data record may be useful to speed the posting of the good, should the participant later decide to re-post and sell the good, and it also creates a valuable database of records to track the possession and ownership of a collectable. This feature may be useful in the agent mode, e.g., tracking down very hard to find items, discussed more fully below.
The Auction
For a rare good, a good in a volatile market, or a good's initial posting the consignment node user or participant may wish to auction the good, with or without reserve, to the highest bidder. In this mode, the good may be posted on the consignment node by the means described above but the data record representing the good is identified as waiting for an auction date and may not be purchased on the electronic market. Alternatively, an item may be in the electronic market of the consignment node with a high reserve price that may be lowered in the auction or liquidation mode. Here the consignment node user or the good's participant owner may enter a protected data field a confidential reserve price for the auction mode. The consignment node user arranges by invoking the appropriate consignment node program a time and date for an electronic auction. The consignment node user or good's participant owner may establish, in a data record that represents the good, a desire for the item to be auctioned. For example, a pawnshop operator of a consignment node may have several Rolex watches he wishes to auction with reserve this Saturday night at 7:00 p.m. The consignment node user, here a pawnshop, identifies on the Rolex watch records the auction date and the confidential reserve price. The consignment node system may “advertise” auction dates, items and auction terms in the consignment node log on welcome message discussed below. Moreover, a good that is identified as awaiting an auction date may be viewed before auction in the consignment node browse mode by a perspective auction participant.
At the auction date, perspective participants log onto the consignment node auction mode locally or through the consignment node network and await the first good to be auctioned. It is understood that in the best mode of the invention the participant will have a data terminal with a digital to analog converter such as a “sound blaster” and speaker, the digital to analog capability may be used in the auction mode to bring the aural excitement of an auction, e.g., the call of the heckler, the caller and bidders, home to the auction participant. This is discussed in more detail below.
The consignment node takes the first item to be auctioned and posts the image of the good and the good's text record to the participants. The consignment node then posts the opening bid. It is understood that the bid postings may be in a protocol that invokes the generation of an auctioneer's voice at the participant terminals. The participants may then respond with a higher bid. The consignment node mode scans electronically the participants for bids and accepts the highest bid. If bids are tied the consignment node may take the first highest bid by the participants log on order. A particular bidding participant receives a special acknowledgment from the consignment node that her bid was accepted. The consignment node then posts the higher bid to all the electronic auction participants. The consignment node repeats this process until no higher bid is received for a predetermined amount of time and closes the auctioning of that particular good. The consignment node then checks whether the highest bid received is greater than the reserve price, if appropriate. The consignment node may then post sold! and the sell price to all participant terminals and proceed to post the next item for auction. Again a successful purchaser may elect to direct delivery of the good or post the good on the electronic market at a new participant determined offer price.
It is understood that the terms of the auction sale are posted and agreed to by the participants before allowing a participant to bid on goods in compliance with local requirements and statutes. It is also understood that a participant may make electronic payment for the goods or establish a line of credit or collect on delivery terms within a particular consignment node user's discretion. This may be established by a relationship between a local consignment node user and a local participant at the local consignment user's discretion.
It should be noted that a consignment node user may sell virtual advertising space or a central master node e.g., the franchiser, may coordinate the sale of advertising space on a pool of consignment nodes to reach target market participants. For example, if a participant has purchased or speculated in antique pens, and advertisers of an antique pen specially consignment node wishes to target market individuals on the network who have purchased collectable pens in the past. A central coordinated master node may sell advertising to an advertiser for the log on message or e-mail targeted participants and users. Thus, the network of consignment nodes can establish a market for target marketing or blanketed advertising of goods and services sold locally or on a network level by a central node.
The Agent
The Agent Mode allows a consignment node participant to search a plurality of consignment nodes and purchase records for a used good. A participant may log onto his local consignment node to shop. This participant, for example, may be interested in purchasing a particular used coin for her collection. The participant may invoke a consignment node Agent to search the network of consignment nodes for this coin. The participant fills in the search parameters for this coin, for example, a 1872 U.S. penny from the Denver Mint. The consignment node Agent task handler verifies the Agent form is sufficiently filled out and accepts the task. The Agent checks a list of other consignment nodes network addresses kept by the local consignment node database and generates an Agent communication message to each consignment node on the list and begins to establish communications to the other consignment nodes. An Agent message between consignment nodes begins by coordinating or reconciling the database on each consignment node of the locations and/or address of other consignment nodes. If a consignment node has a different list of consignment nodes in its database it will pass the node update information to the other consignment node. The consignment node originating the Agent task will generate a new Agent task to accommodate the information concerning the new consignment node. Once the consignment node database of consignment nodes is reconciled, the Agent will search the consignment node database for the goods requested. The Agent will report back whether the search of the local market database was successful and how many good that matches the Agent search request it found. An Agent may also search the consignment node database of past transactions to identify an owner of a particular good. The Agent may then report that John Doe of Main Street, U.S.A. was the last known purchaser of a 1872 U.S. penny from the Denver Mint at this node. It is understood that differing levels of privacy are available to consignment node purchasers, so as only allowing the local consignment node user to view past purchaser information and/or provide the Agent with an option of contacting that consignment user so he may contact the prior purchaser, thus, protecting privacy while allowing bona fide offers to reach the prior purchaser in confidence.
Once some of the Agents start reporting back to the Agent originating consignment node, the originating consignment node may report the results to the consignment node participant of the Agents results. Such results may give the total number of matching items found thus providing the local participant/collector an indication of the depth of this market. It is understood that a local consignment node user may charge participants for Agent requests.
Computer Implementation
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention a consignment node may use a multitasking operating system such as UNIX, OS/2 or VMS. However, a Microsoft DOS or Windows implementation is within the scope of the present invention. The consignment node may be networked via TCP/IP and the internet or a private TCP/IP network or X.25 private or public network or service providers network of ISDN, ATM and the like. It is understood, that a consignment node may support a plurality of protocols simultaneously. Moreover, it is understood that the participant interface application program may execute on a wide variety of platforms such as PC's, MAC's, Power PC's, workstations, cable set-top boxes, video game hardware and the like and are within the scope of the present invention.
FIG. 1 shows the consignment node of the present invention may have a computer 10, a data storage device 22, a tape drive 24, a digital camera 12, a bar code scanner 14, a display, 16, a keyboard 18, a laser printer 20, and a network connection 26. A participant user terminal is shown at 28.
FIG. 2 shows a schematic block diagram showing the logic flow of a user log in at a consignment node.
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the logical flow of the consignment node auction process.
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the logical flow of the consignment node market or browse mode.
FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram showing the logical flow for posting a new used good on the consignment node.
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a subroutine that may be used to post auction bids.
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a subroutine that may be used by the consignment node auction process to receive participant auction bids.
FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the logical flow for a subroutine that may be used to transfer ownership of an item.
FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing the logical flow for a consignment node in-store sale of a good.
FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the logical flow of post-processing and analyzing consignment node sales.
FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing the logical flow of the consignment node Agent handler subroutine.
It is understood that the get session identification procedure 100 is a routine that monitors the communication ports and virtual communication ports residing on a protocol stack. The consignment node may use, for example, a X.25 interface card, available from Eicon Corporation or Frontier Corporation to execute an X.25 protocol stack in a PC workstation. The get session identification 100 program may monitor the X.25 protocol for incoming calls. If the program identifies an incoming call it may answer the call by transmitting the appropriate X.25 packet to the network on the appropriate virtual channel. It is understood that other protocols, such as TCP/IP, DECNET, SNA and ATM are within the scope of the present invention and that multiple protocol stacks may simultaneously execute in a consignment node. Therefore, the get session identification program 100 may have multiple instances to connect and monitor the various protocols. After the get session identification 100 has appropriately answered an incoming call to the consignment node, it may invoke the display welcome message and menu routine 102.
It is understood that the get session identification 100 provides sufficient information to the display welcome message and menu 102 to allow the display welcome message and menu 102 to connect to the appropriate session or virtual channel. At this juncture, if the participant is using an approved interface program, the interface program will send a predetermined code to indicate its version and other characteristics of its display driver. If a participant is logging in from a TTY terminal or other terminal the display welcome message and menu 102 may detect this information and send the appropriate TTY welcome message. It is understood that the welcome message is viewed by the consignment node user as virtual advertising space that may be sold by the consignment node user or coordinated with the master control node (discussed in detail below). The participant may respond to the display welcome message and menu 102 program by giving an appropriate log on response 104. The get log on response 104 may verify and grant a level of access privileges to the participant. It is understood that the consignment node user may require the get log in response 104 to retrieve a credit card number, pin number, user ID and the like, to grant access privileges. If a participant is using a TTY terminal those sessions may be shunted to the download interface program (DIP) 106 routine to receive an appropriate interface program from the consignment node. The DIP 106 may present a list of choices as to what version interface program should be downloaded, such as DOS, Windows, UNIX, MAC platforms and what transfer program is desired such as Kermit, Xmodem, FTP and the like. A participant with a participant interface program may also elect to receive a new interface program from the DIP 106. It is understood that an older, no longer supported interface program participant may be shunted to the DIP 106 to receive a new interface program.
A participant with a supported interface program may select the auction 108, market 110 or agent handler 112 sections of the consignment node. If a participant selects auction 108 the participant may be presented with a menu of auction selections such as auctions in session, future auction times, dates, locations and topics, and auction preview. If a participant selects auctions in session the participants session is passed to the appropriate auction handler, as discussed below. If a participant selects future auctions the participant will be given a list of future auction times, dates, terms, locations and topics of auctions on this and other consignment nodes. It is understood that these displays represent a virtual advertising opportunity for the consignment node user and the advertising space may be sold by the consignment node user or by the master control node. If the participant elects the auction preview, the auction process 108 passes the participant session to the market session 110 with data that indicates an auction preview desired by the user.
If the participant selects the market 110 choice the participant is given a menu of markets that the participants may browse, discussed further below. If the participant selects the agent handler 112 the participant may be provided with an electronic form to create a search for a good. The participant may then execute this Agent's search request to search the network of consignment nodes databases to look for the desired goods. The Agent is discussed more fully below. The Agent Handler 112 also receives incoming calls from other agents to process the external agents search request on the consignment node. The participant interface and consignment node participant functions are discussed in detail below. The discussion now turns to the operation of the consignment node by the user.
FIG. 3 shows a logical flow diagram of the steps the consignment node may use to create a database record of a good for sale or for auction.
The consignment node user may invoke the consignment node program to enter the posting 200 mode to create a data record for the good. The posting 200 mode initializes 204 the consignment node to receive information on a new good. The initialization 204 step displays a data record with data fields on the consignment node terminal for the user to fill in information on the good. The initialization step 204 also initializes the consignment node peripheral devices such as the digital camera 12 and the printer 20. The consignment node user then “photographs” or digitizes the image of the good from one or more perspectives as well known to the digital camera arts. The consignment node receives the digitized image(s) at receive image 206 step. The consignment node program then prompts the consignment node user for information on the good 208. The consignment node receives information 210 that the consignment node user inputs to the data record displayed at step 208. The consignment node program verifies 212 that the necessary information, such as owners name, reserve price, market or auction designation is in the data record. The verify step 212 will reject the record and return the consignment node user data entry mode 210 if the record does not have the minimum information. If the record is verified 212 as complete enough to commit to the consignment node database, a data record is created 214 and linked into the consignment node database. The consignment node program then generates and prints a bar code 216 that indicated the data record. The bar code system is used by the consignment node to maintain an accurate inventory and is a hook for local sales (discussed below). The posting routine may then exit 218 and return from the posting program. By repeating the posting routine of FIG. 3 the consignment node user may build a database of goods for the consignment node market, auction and/or agent searches.
FIG. 4 shows the logical block flow diagram of the processes the consignment node may take to execute an auction. It is understood that the consignment node user may manually invoke the auction process, or may schedule the consignment node to execute the auction process. The auction process begins by initializing 250 the data structures, records, queues and the like to conduct the auction process. The connection between the auction process and auction participants is discussed below. The auction process gets the first item to be auctioned 252 from the database of goods to be auctioned 254. The consignment node then calculates the opening bid 256 by a predetermined formula such as 50% of the reserve or general solicitation of an opening bid is posted to the auction participants 258. The consignment node auction mode then scans the participants for a higher bids 262. If a higher bid is found the new bid is posted 264. It is understood that the steps of checking for bids 260 determines if the bid is higher 262 and posting the new higher bid 264 is repeated until no higher bids are received. After the typical auction closing of going once . . . twice . . . three times the auction is closed 266. The consignment node auction program then compares the highest bid received with the good's reserve price 268 to determine whether to transact the sale. If the highest bid is greater than the reserve price the consignment node auction process posts sold! for xxx amount to the auction participants and calls the transfer ownership subroutine 270 discussed further below, and transfers the ownership of the good. If the highest bid is less than the reserve price the consignment node auction process announces no sale! 272 to the auction participants. The auction process then proceeds 274 to get the next good to be auctioned 278. The consignment node auction process is then repeated until all the goods to be auctioned have been run through 278. The consignment node auction may then close and terminate the participant sessions 280. It is understood that the transfer ownership 270 sub-routine may require time to clear the transaction and, therefore, may be best implement as a spawned child process to the auction process. This will keep the consignment node auction executing at an exciting and fast pace for the participants. The consignment node auction process itself may execute in several instances to provide simultaneous auctions on a consignment node. Thus a consignment node may conduct several simultaneous auctions on several virtual runways. It is understood that in the auction mode the consignment node and the participant interface software may communicate using a protocol that allows the consignment node auction driver to “point to” locations stored in the participant interface software, to cause the participant interface software to generate the sound of a auctioneers voice on the sound blaster, or equivalent board. Thus, the present invention uses pre-stored sound samples of different auction prices and auctioneer “string” along aural calls inside the participant interface software, and allows the generation of said pre-stored sound bites to be invoked by the consignment node driver through the said special protocol. This method greatly reduces the bandwidth necessary for a consignment node to support the generation of exciting auctioneers calls at a plurality of participant terminals. It is understood that the generation of an audio bit stream from the consignment node to the participant terminals is also with the scope of the present invention.
FIG. 5 shows, the logical flow for the post bid subroutine 300. The post bid sub-routine may be invoked from several consignment node processes, those specifically described thus far are the post opening bid 258 and posting bid 264 logical processes. The post bid 300 sub-routine is used to communicate between a consignment node and multiple participants. The post bid 300 sub-routine gets participant session identifications 302 from a data record or data structure that contains a list of session identifications of participants who have logged onto the auction sessions. The next step sends the bid passed to the post bid 300 subroutine to each participant session identified in the data structure 306. Bids are posted to each participant through an appropriate driver 308. The driver may be identified for each particular user session. For example, a PC user logged into the consignment node via an X.25 virtual channel may require a host PAD driver in the consignment node to communicate asynchronously to the PC terminal interface application. A network user may require a TCP/IP driver to connect between the consignment node and the participant networked terminal. After communicating the bid to participants through the appropriate device driver 308, the post bid sub-routine may exit and return 310 to the calling routine.
FIG. 6 shows the consignment node subroutine to check participant sessions for bids during the auction mode. Check for bids 350 maybe a subroutine called by the auction program to scan for bids. It is understood that when a participant logs into the consignment node and selects the auction mode, (see FIG. 2), the participant's session identification is passed to a data structure. The data structure maybe used by the check for bids 350 sub-routine to correctly identify participants at a particular virtual auction. As noted above, the consignment node may support multiple simultaneous auctions, therefore, may require multiple instances of the aforesaid data structure. The check for bids sub-routine 350 opens or connects to the appropriate data structure storing or holding participant session identifications who are participating in the check for bids calling auction program instance at the get session identification step 352. The buffers associated with each session is scanned for an input 354. If a participant has input an “exit” command or symbol 356 the routine removes that participant's session identification from the auction identifying data structure and allows the participant to exit 362 the auction. The participant's session identification may be returned to a data structure that allows the participant to return to the consignment nodes main menu, see FIG. 2, or terminate the participant session. The subroutine then compares the bids and takes the highest bid 358. If bids are tied for the highest bid the sub-routine may use the first received bid and reject the others 358. The sub-routine then notifies the participant session who had the highest bid 360. It is understood that the take the highest bid step 358 and notify bidder step 360 are aware of the current bid price for a good and will not allow a lower bid to be accepted. It is understood that the participant session buffers are flushed after they are scanned to remove old or latent bids. The check for bids sub-routine then returns to its calling routine.
FIG. 7 shows the transfer ownership routine 400 that may be used to transfer the ownership of goods and collectibles in the consignment node. The transfer ownership sub-routine may be called from several consignment node modes and processes to effect the transfer of legal ownership. The first step in the transfer ownership sub-routine 400 may be to verify a participant purchaser information 402. It is understood that the consignment node may use a variety of well known authenticating procedures to verify a participant, such verification techniques include personal identification numbers (PINS), passwords, call back, and a plethora of encryption techniques and personal information identification means to provide a reliable verification technique. It is understood that a consignment node user may have established a credit or deposit account for the participant from past sales or the transfer of funds and the verify step 402 may connect the participant to the account. The clear charge 404 step is used to clear the participant consignment node transaction. It is understood that this may be via an external credit card clearing network, a connection to a credit account, or though one of the many proposed electronic fund transfer schemes such as debit cards, e-money, and clearinghouses. After the transaction clears the charge 404, the consignment node credits the consignment node users commission account 406 to extract the consignment node transaction fee. The consignment node then transfers legal ownership 408 of the good by changing the ownership entry in the data record in the consignment node of the good. The consignment node may then print a record of the transaction 410. It is understood that step 410 may also be used to keep a log on the consignment node storage or tape drive. The consignment node then removes the good from sale or auction status 412. It is understood that the data record representing the good is “locked” during the transfer ownership sub-routine to prevent collisions of actions and transfers of the good. If the participant has elected to ship goods then the consignment node will print a shipping label 404 for the consignment node user to attach to the good for shipment. The transfer ownership routine may then exit 416. If the participant has elected to re-post the good or collectable the participant may specify a new reserve or offer price for the good or collectable. It is understood that the purchasing participant may elect to leave the good or collectable at the consignment node and post a new offer or reserve price and may identify that the good is on the market, e.g. may be bought and sold at any time, or that the good is awaiting an auction date. Moreover, the participant may elect to have the good viewable on the market or “invisible” to the market while awaiting an auction date 422. It is understood that the participant may elect to leave the good at the purchased consignment node and electronically transfer the offering of a good to another consignment node. It is understood that consignment node users may run a “trusted” network between consignment nodes to provide the trust between merchants, that the goods exists and that the network between the consignment nodes to provide for electronic presentment of a good is a secure network connection. This allows collectable goods to be concentrated for a single electronic auction or virtual collectable market on a market maker consignment node without incurring the costs of shipping the goods to a central location to bring the good to the market maker consignment node. It is understood that the trusted posting of goods on a market maker node is a value added feature a small town consignment node user can provide to his immediate collector community. It is understood that the master central node may also serve as a legal consignment node franchising authority to provide enforcement of integrity, security and quality control for the consignment node network.
FIG. 8 shows the consignment node routine that may be used to establish a virtual market. The market 450 may be selected from the consignment node main menu, see FIG. 2, to allow a participant to browse the consignment node goods database. The market 450 will display to the participant market categories 452, categories may be defined by the consignment node user to reflect the specialization of his consignment node and the specialized markets or miscellaneous markets for his goods. The consignment node then gets the participants response 454 to the market choices. The consignment node may then display market sub-categories 456. Again, the consignment node user may specify market sub-categories to reflect the specialization of the consignment node. The consignment node may then display items 458 and get the participant or market user response 460 to the displayed choices. It is understood that the participant may browse or scroll through the goods on the market 462, 458, 460 until the participant responds with a desire to exit the market 463. If the response is a desire to transfer to the market root directory 464 then the consignment node will return the participant to the market subcategories 456. If the participant responded with a desire to terminate the session 466 the consignment node will exit the market and terminate the participant's session. It is understood that during the browse loop 458, 460, 462 a participant may elect to buy or make an offer on a good and may invoke the transfer ownership routine, see FIG. 7, to effect the transfer of a good's ownership. It is also understood that a participant may make an offer on a good below the asking (or offered) price. Such a proposed offer may be stored by the consignment node and used to notify the good owner. The good owner may then accept the counter offer or reject. It is understood that a participant counter-offer may be made subject to an acceptance before date. It is also understood that a participant may establish a “buy at” or “sell at” price/quantity for any good in the market.
FIG. 9 shows a logical flow diagram of the process that may be use to transact the transfer of ownership of goods on a consignment node at the store where a consignment node may be located. The consignment node user invokes the store sale sub-routine 500 from a consignment node user terminal, see FIG. 1. The consignment node user may use the bar code scanner to scan the bar code of the good for sale 502. It is understood that the consignment node, user may manually recall or search the consignment node database for the data record of the good or may let the consignment node software use the bar code to automatically retrieve the record 504. The data record is then scanned to retrieve price and sale information on the good 506. It is important to note that a good, while on display at a consignment node user's shop may have transferred ownership and changed price via network participants. The consignment node then displays this information 508 at the consignment node user terminal. The store customer may then elect to purchase the good. The consignment node may process a store customer purchase request by calling the appropriate sub-routine to transfer ownership, see FIG. 7, of the good.
FIG. 10 shows a logical process diagram for the central node to collect and process data concerning transactions on a plurality of consignment nodes and provide value added feed back to consignment node users on market positions and trends. Data processing 550 may be executed on a consignment node or the central node to extract transaction data from a consignment node. It is understood that the tape drive, or storage device may be used to log network transactions on the posting, auctioning, buying and selling of goods and collectibles on a consignment node. This information may be collected by the central node over the consignment node network. The central node may then plot sales, sale date, price over time and the like to create graphs of market performance 554. It is understood that the data correlation and processing steps 554, 556 may be customized to provide a particular consignment node user with useful market information. The central node may also provide hard copies or electronically transfer the information to the consignment node users. It is understood that this may be a value added feature of a service that may be provided by a franchiser. It is understood that the central node may log into a consignment node, with well known remote processing and data transfer techniques such as the rlogon and FTP UNIX utilities to make changes to the aforesaid virtual advertising space on a consignment node.
FIG. 11 shows the agent handler the consignment node may use to establish agent-to-agent and consignment node-to-consignment node connections to process participant agent requests. The agent handler 600 may be entered by a predetermined series of codes and verification procedures to verify a request for an agent connection to the consignment node is from a bona fide agent and a bona fide consignment node. Once this is verified the agent handler may establish a session for the requesting agent 602. The requesting agent may then transfer its agents request to the consignment node 604 and the consignment node may then check its local database 606 to try to match the agents search request. The agent handler may then respond to the agents request 608 and terminate the agent session 610.
Many variations of the present invention are possible with the present invention and are within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Those skilled in the arts will be able to make many variations on the present invention once this invention is known to the arts.