Computerized Auction System For Use With Multiple Purchasing Media

Abstract

Systems and methods create and maintain an auction server operative to receive requests for displaying auction items. The bid values are displayed and received in units that are specific to a particular program in which the user is participating. Bid values can be displayed and received in differing units depending on the particular program. Thus, participants in different programs can bid on the same items using different media types or different currencies. The system automatically converts between the different media types in order to determine highest bidders and bid amounts.

1 . A method of conducting a network-based auction between at least two potential purchasers bidding upon the same auctioned item utilizing different purchasing media types, the method comprising: 
 (a) displaying to the at least two potential purchasers the auction item that they each have decided to bid upon, wherein each potential purchaser can bid on the auction item using at least one of the purchasing media types accepted by the network-based auction, wherein at least two of the potential purchasers have selected different purchasing media types;    (b) displaying a current bid price for the auction item to the potential purchaser making the current bid in terms of the at least one purchasing media type utilized by that potential purchaser;    (c) converting the current bid price and displaying it to at least one of the other potential purchasers in terms of the at least one purchasing media type utilized by that other potential purchaser; and    (d) permitting a potential purchaser other than the current potential purchaser to place an increased bid upon the auction item in terms of the at least one purchasing media type utilized by that potential purchaser.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising automatically converting the different purchasing media types that are bid by the potential purchasers to determine a highest bidder.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the network-based auction is associated with an incentive rewards system.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising selection by the potential purchaser of the at least one purchasing media type to be used for bidding on the auction item, wherein the displayed current bid price is converted to the at least one purchasing media type selected by the potential purchaser.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the potential purchaser selects the at least one purchasing media type from a menu provided by the network-base auction.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein a program code is provided to the potential purchaser to permit correlation between the potential purchaser and at least one purchasing media type.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the two or more purchasing media types are selected from the group consisting of incentive rewards points, certificates, frequent flyer miles, mileage money, frequent user points, frequent buyer awards points, credit, and currency.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the different purchasing media types are issued to the potential purchaser by different incentive system sponsors.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the different purchasing media types are issued to the potential purchaser by the same incentive system sponsor.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein converting the displayed current bid price comprises converting between different incentive rewards media.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein converting the displayed current bid price comprises converting between incentive rewards media having generally different values.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein converting the displayed current bid price comprises converting between currencies of different countries.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein converting the displayed current bid price comprises converting between a non-monetary incentive reward media and a currency.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising permitting a purchase of the auction item with more than one of the different purchasing media types.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising permitting a purchase of the auction item with a combination of different purchasing media types and currency.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising controlling a time when at least one potential purchaser can view the at least one auction item for purchase.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising means for permitting a sponsor to control access by at least one potential purchaser to the network-based auction, or the auction items that can be displayed to or bid upon by at least one potential purchaser.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the control means comprises a valid user name or password for the potential purchaser.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the control means comprises a valid program code.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 1  further including displaying advertising information informing a purchaser how to earn an additional quantity of at least one of the different purchasing media types.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the advertising information is displayed when a potential purchaser logs into the auction.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising providing a user with a purchasing media type certificate having a unique certificate number, wherein the potential purchaser inputs the unique certificate number to purchase the auction item.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising accumulation by the potential purchaser of the different media types in at least one account prior to purchasing the auction item and transferring at least a portion of the different media types accumulated from the at least one account for redemption of the auction item.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 23  further comprising at least one sponsor being associated with each of the different media types, wherein the auction system coordinates the accumulation of the at least one different media types into at least one account of the at least one potential purchasers.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising confirmation during the auction bidding process that the potential purchaser has available the quantity of purchasing media type bid for the auction item.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising displaying an amount of time remaining for bidding upon the auction item.  
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising a message sent to the potential purchaser notifying him that another potential purchaser has placed a higher value bid for the auction item.  
   
   
       28 . A network-based auction system comprising: 
 (a) a database of items for purchase;    (b) at least one auction server in communication with the database to display at least one of the items for purchase, wherein the auction server adjusts the purchasing media types to be displayed to at least one potential purchaser;    (c) at least one potential purchaser network device to facilitate communication with at least the auction server, wherein the auction server displays the at least one item to the at least one potential purchaser; and    (d) at least one purchasing media type utilized by the at least one potential purchaser for bidding on the at least one item displayed on the auction server.    
   
   
       29 . The system of  claim 28 , wherein the auction server automatically converts the media types to determine a highest bidder.  
   
   
       30 . The system of  claim 28  further comprising at least one incentive program in communication with the at least one auction server for accumulating at least one of the media types used to purchase the at least one item.  
   
   
       31 . The system of  claim 28 , wherein the auction server converts between different incentive reward media.  
   
   
       32 . The system of  claim 28 , wherein the auction server converts between different currencies.  
   
   
       33 . The system of  claim 28 , wherein the auction server converts between a non-monetary incentive reward media and at least one type of currency.  
   
   
       34 . The system of  claim 28  further comprising a sponsor being associated with at least one of the purchasing media types, wherein the sponsor is able to control a time when the at least one potential purchaser can view the at least one item.  
   
   
       35 . The system of  claim 28  further comprising an advertising information display to inform the at least one purchaser how to earn an additional quantity of at least one of the purchasing media types, wherein the advertising information display is received by the at least one potential purchaser network device.  
   
   
       36 . The system of  claim 35 , wherein the at least one potential purchaser is informed to purchase an item to earn an additional quantity of at least one of the purchasing media types.  
   
   
       37 . The system of  claim 35 , wherein the at least one purchaser is informed to perform some behavior to earn an additional quantity of at least one of the purchasing media types.  
   
   
       38 . The system of  claim 35 , wherein the advertising information is displayed when at least one potential purchaser logs into the auction server.  
   
   
       39 . The system of  claim 28  further comprising a certificate for a purchasing media type having a unique certificate number, wherein the at least one potential purchaser inputs the unique certificate number into the network device to purchase the at least one auction item.  
   
   
       40 . The system of  claim 28  further comprising a time display viewable on the network device to display an amount of time remaining in the auction.  
   
   
       41 . The system of  claim 28 , wherein the auction server converts the purchasing media types into a uniform media type to be used for purchasing the at least one auction item.  
   
   
       42 . The system of  claim 28  further comprising a message sent to the potential purchaser notifying him that another potential purchaser has placed a higher value bid for the auction item.  
   
   
       43 . A method of conducting a network-based auction, the method comprising: 
 (a) storing at least one auction item for purchase in a database;    (b) hosting at least one auction on a server that is in communication with the database;    (c) receiving a display of the auction and the at least one auction item by a network device viewable by at least one potential purchaser;    (d) utilizing different purchasing media types by the potential purchaser for the purchase of the at least one auction item on the network device;    (e) displaying a price of the at least one item to the potential purchasers, wherein the price is associated with at least one of the different purchasing media types;    (f) converting the displayed price to at least one of the different purchasing media types; and    (g) permitting the at least one potential purchaser to bid on the at least one item with at least one of the different purchasing media types.    
   
   
       44 . The method of  claim 43  further comprising automatically converting between the different purchasing media types to determine a highest bidder.