| 摘要 |
A method of selectively implementing a live auction option in a conventional timed electronic auction. The host-server monitors bidding activity in a timed auction to detect an indication of competitive bidding. If competitive bidding is detected, a "live auction" is triggered. The client-users are provided information regarding how to participate in the live auction, which may be held immediately or at a set time in the future. Preferably, only those users who submitted a bid during the final stages of the timed auction will be allowed to participate. The live auction is not conducted by a human auctioneer. Rather, it is conducted by a software-implemented process. However, all bidders are given warnings when the auction is about to close and sufficient time to submit additional bids. These warnings can mimic a human auctioneer, such as web-posted "going once," "going twice" calls.
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