SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AN AUCTION OF MULTIPLE TYPES OF ITEMS

摘要

A system and method for a computer-implemented auction in which multiple types of items are auctioned together without imposing a particular division of supply or demand among the individual types of items. In some embodiments the auction (30) provides a means or method for establishing prices for the types of items, therein the prices maintain a relationship. In other embodiments, the present invention provides a means or method for implying prices from price parameters in the bids received from bidders (20a, 20b, 20c), based on a relation among the prices for the types of items. Market clearing may be defined by the condition that the aggregate quantity bid for all types of items is less than or equal to the available quantity of all types of items. The division among the types of items within is thus determined flexibly, based on the bids at the associated prices. In other embodiments, market clearing is defined by the condition that the quantity bid for one selected type of item is less than or equal to the available quantity of the selected type of item. The quantities of the other types of items are thus determined flexibly, based on the bids at the associated prices.