Remote Auction Negotiation via Electronic Messaging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional auctions lack the capability for real-time price negotiations between remote consignors and bidders, disrupting the live auction flow and requiring physical presence or delayed phone negotiations, which increases costs and reduces efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A remote consignor/bidder supplement system enabling instantaneous audio and video communication, synchronized clerk interfaces, bid announcements, and messaging for remote participation in auctions, allowing consignors and bidders to negotiate prices electronically during live auctions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If remote consignors and bidders negotiate by phone or in person during live auctions, then price negotiations can occur, but the live auction flow is disrupted and time is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenegotiation capabilityVSAvoidauction flow disruption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an electronic messaging system as an intermediary between consignors and bidders, allowing negotiations to occur through pre-configured message templates and automated relay systems. This intermediary mechanism enables price negotiations without requiring direct phone calls or in-person interactions that would disrupt the live auction flow, thus resolving the contradiction between negotiation capability and auction flow continuity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows consignors and bidders to pre-configure negotiation parameters, message templates, and authorization limits before the auction begins. This preliminary setup enables rapid automated negotiations during the live auction without requiring real-time complex decision-making, thereby maintaining auction flow while enabling flexible price negotiations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If consignors send representatives to live auctions or conduct phone negotiations, then price negotiations are possible, but travel costs and time expenses increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenegotiation capabilityVSAvoidtravel costs

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical system of physical travel and in-person representation with an electronic communication system. Consignors and bidders can participate in negotiations remotely through the electronic messaging platform, eliminating the need for travel to auction houses and reducing associated costs while maintaining full negotiation capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If traditional auction systems are used without remote access, then live auction flow is maintained, but remote participation and cost reduction are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauction efficiencyVSAvoidremote participation capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal system that supports both traditional in-person auction participation and remote electronic participation through the same platform. The messaging system and negotiation tools are designed to work seamlessly for both local and remote users, enabling the auction house to serve diverse participants without compromising auction flow or efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS8326691B1Remote consignor/bidder supplement for traditional live auctions

Publication Date: 2012.12.04 MANHEIM

AI summary

A method for adding a negotiation interface between remote consignors and bidders to a traditional-style live auction, comprising the steps of providing audio/video system apparatus; providing clerk system apparatus; providing marquee system apparatus; providing bid system apparatus; and providing negotiation apparatus for enabling selective direct price negotiations between remote auction consignors and remote auction bidders.