Bid Tracking Database Server for Auction Data Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

The variability in interactions with online auction services complicates the collection of data concerning bid activities, making it challenging to manage bid tracking effectively across different electronic devices and platforms.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for managing a bid tracking database that involves receiving bid records and auction records, determining if the bid price matches or exceeds the winning price and the bid timestamp matches the end timestamp, and writing the bid record to the database when conditions are met, utilizing a server with an interface, memory, and processor to maintain and process these records.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If bid records are collected from multiple electronic devices and online auction services, then the comprehensiveness of bid tracking data is improved, but the complexity of data management increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomprehensiveness of bid tracking dataVSAvoidcomplexity of data management
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a server as an intermediary component that receives bid records from multiple electronic devices and online auction services. The server acts as a central hub that standardizes and manages the incoming data, eliminating the need for each device to independently manage complex data collection processes. The server interface standardizes data reception, automatically processing bid records regardless of their source device or platform.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If bid records are stored and processed across multiple platforms, then the versatility of bid tracking is improved, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring accurate winning bids increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveversatility of bid trackingVSAvoiddifficulty of detecting winning bids
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements local quality by creating a specialized database structure within the server specifically designed for storing and retrieving bid tracking information. The bid tracking database is optimized with specific fields for bid price, timestamp, and winning bid identification, making it easier to detect and measure winning bids compared to generic database structures. This localized optimization simplifies the detection process while maintaining versatility across multiple platforms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Measurement precision

If bid records are manually tracked across different devices, then the accuracy of bid data collection is improved, but the loss of time in manual processing increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of bid data collectionVSAvoidtime in manual processing
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements self-service through automated processes that occur without manual intervention. The server automatically receives bid records from multiple sources, stores them in the bid tracking database, and identifies winning bids based on predefined criteria. The system self-manages the entire data collection and processing workflow, eliminating manual tracking operations while maintaining high accuracy through automated data validation and processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the server interface and bid tracking database with the necessary structures and protocols for receiving and processing bid records. The database is pre-designed with appropriate fields and data types for bid information, and the server is pre-configured with logic for identifying winning bids. This preliminary setup eliminates the need for manual data structuring and processing during actual bid tracking operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4209985A1Method, system and apparatus for managing a bid tracking database
Publication Date: 2023.07.12 BLACKBERRY LTD
  • EP4209985A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4209985A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4209985A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

According to embodiments described in the specification, a method, system and apparatus for managing a bid tracking database are provided. The method comprises receiving at least one bid record at an interface, the at least one bid record comprising a bid price, a bid timestamp and a bid item identifier; receiving at least one auction record at the interface, the at least one auction record comprising a winning price, an end timestamp and an auction item identifier corresponding to the bid item identifier; maintaining the at least one bid record and the at least one auction record in a memory; determining whether the bid price matches or exceeds the winning price and whether the bid timestamp matches the end timestamp; and, when the determination is affirmative, writing the bid record to the bid tracking database maintained in the memory.