Real time auction bidding using wireless communication device

(19)

(11)

EP 1 041 502 A3

(12)	EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88)	Date of publication A3:
	27.11.2002 Bulletin 2002/48

(43)	Date of publication A2:
	04.10.2000 Bulletin 2000/40

(21)	Application number: 00302570.7

(22)	Date of filing: 28.03.2000

(51)	International Patent Classification (IPC)⁷: G06F 17/60

(84)	Designated Contracting States:
	AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE
	Designated Extension States:
	AL LT LV MK RO SI

(30)

Priority:

29.03.1999 US 282046

(71)	Applicant: Phone.Com Inc.
	Redwood City, CA 94063 (US)

(72)	Inventors:
	Rossmann, Alain S. Palo Alto, CA 94303 (US) Heumann, Gregory A. San Mateo, CA 94403 (US)

(74)	Representative: Ablett, Graham Keith et al
	Ablett & Stebbing, Caparo House, 101-103 Baker Street London W1M 1FD London W1M 1FD (GB)

(54)	Real time auction bidding using wireless communication device

(57) The present invention relates to an on-line auction system (100) supporting wireless network users (108) and wired network users (104, 106) as bidders. The auction system has an auction server (102) that conducts on-line auctions for items by allowing bidders to electronically submit bids, and a proxy server (116) that supports the wireless network users, receives auction update messages from the auction server, and stores auction information pertaining to the on-line auctions for which the wireless network users are participating. The wireless network users can access the stored auction information, can be alerted when a prior bid has been out-bid, and can increase the bid.

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