1. An auction method, comprising:
(a) identifying a lot to be auctioned, having associated auction parameters;
(b) transmitting an identification of the lot and a clock synchronization signal from a central server to a plurality of remote locations through a packet switched computer network;
(c) receiving bid identifications for at least a portion of the lot consistent with the associated auction parameters, from the plurality of remote locations through the packet switched computer network;
(d) modifying an offering price over time in dependence on the received bid identifications; and
(e) communicating at least the modified offering price to the plurality of remote locations through the packet switched computer network.
2. The auction method according to claim 1, further comprising allocating a portion of the units, corresponding to at least one bid identification, to a corresponding bidder.
3. The auction method according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of remote locations comprise both web browsers which communicate according to a first protocol and wireless mobile devices which communicate according to a second protocol, different from the first protocol.
4. The auction method according to claim 1, further comprising storing a bid activity pattern in a database.
5. The auction method according to claim 4, wherein the stored bid pattern activity is analyzed to determine an optimal set of auction parameters for a subsequent auction of a similar lot.
6. The auction method according to claim 1, wherein the offering price is changed over time in a pattern adaptive to a bid activity pattern.
7. The auction method according to claim 1, wherein the auction parameters define at least an auction starting price and an auction end rule.
8. The auction method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one lot comprises an airline ticket.
9. The auction method according to claim 1, wherein a bid identification comprises a buyer demand-utility function defining at least a maximum bid price.
10. The auction method according to claim 1, wherein a yield management system adaptively defines a quantity of subjects for auction represented by the lot, and a reserve price to optimize overall profits to a seller based on a time of auction, an inventory of subjects for auction remaining prior to auction, and anticipated market conditions defining bidder demand for the subjects.
11. The auction method according to claim 1, further comprising ending the auction upon the earlier of an expiration of a time for the auction, and exhaustion of availability of the lot.
12. An auction method, comprising:
(a) defining at least one lot to be auctioned, comprising at least one unit in the lot, and associated auction parameters comprising at least a time at a network-based central server;
(b) communicating the associated auction parameters from the central server to a plurality of remote locations;
(c) processing the auction parameters at each remote location to generate in dependence thereon a locally-defined display, comprising a displayed count-down clock, and an identification of the at least one lot;
(d) communicating a bid from a respective remote location to the central server comprising at least the identification of the at least one lot;
(e) determining at least one winning bidder based on bids received from the plurality of remote locations before the count-down clock expires; and
(f) communicating from the central server to the respective remote location an indication of whether the bid is a winning bid.
13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the parameters define a descending price auction.
14. The method according to claim 12, wherein the parameters comprise a starting price.
15. The method according to claim 12, further comprising:
(g) receiving a bid identifications for remaining units within the lot at an offering price by interactively communicating bid identifications; and
(h) changing the offering price over time in dependence on the interactively communicated bid identifications.
16. The method according to claim 12, further comprising:
(g) automatically maintaining synchronization of a clock at each respective remote location and receiving at the central server bid identifications for remaining units within the lot at a contemporaneous offering price associated with a time of bid identification from the plurality of remote locations; and
(h) changing the offering price over time and updating a remaining quantity of units, prioritizing an award of units to respective bidders based on the time of bid identification.
17. The method according to claim 12, wherein the associated auction parameters comprise an auction temporal parameter, selected from the group consisting of a starting time, an ending time, an auction temporal cessation rule, and a time-price relationship.
18. The method according to claim 17, further comprising managing a seller yield by defining a set of supply parameters, comprising non-zero reserve and an available quantity of units in the lot.
19. The method according to claim 18, further comprising, over a period of time, relaxing a limiting restriction on acceptable transaction parameters for the units in the lot, an prioritizing an award of a quantity of units to a respective bidder based on a sequence of generation of bids.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A brake device of bicycle comprising:
a triangular cable stop comprising a first corner attachment, a second corner attachment, a third corner attachment, and a wheel disposed between the first and second corner attachments;
a first pivot member comprising a first trough;
a first cable passing through the first corner attachment, the wheel, and the second corner attachment to be fastened at the first pivot;
a second pivot member comprising a second trough;
a second cable having one end fastened in the third corner attachment and the other end fastened in the second pivot member;
a first brake arm releasably pivotably secured to the first trough of the first pivot member and comprising two opposite first projections and a spring actuated first adjustment knob distal the first projections; and
a second brake arm releasably pivotably secured to the second trough of the second pivot member and comprising two opposite second projections and a spring actuated second adjustment knob distal the second projections.
2. The brake device of claim 1, wherein rotation of the first adjustment knob can adjust an elastic force thereof, and rotation of the second adjustment knob can adjust an elastic force thereof.
3. The brake device of claim 1, wherein in response to the first cable being broken when riding, the first pivot member pivots counterclockwise until being stopped by the first projections, both the first pivot member and the first brake arm are pushed away from a wheel, and both the second pivot member and the second brake arm are pushed away from the wheel; and wherein in response to the second cable being broken when riding, the second pivot member pivots clockwise until being stopped by the second projections, both the first pivot member and the first brake arm are pushed away from the wheel, and both the second pivot member and the second brake arm are pushed away from the wheel.