Systems and methods for automated internet-based auctions
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus for implementing an automated auction process, the apparatus comprising:
- a processor; and
a memory operable to;
store a profile associated with a first user;
store data regarding a plurality of animated characters; and
store a program for controlling the processor;
the processor communicatively coupled to the memory and to a plurality of workstations, wherein a first workstation is associated with a first user, and wherein the program controls the processor to;
determine a first animated character;
receive a first bid for an item from a workstation associated with a user;
cause the first workstation to display the first animated character as an animated auctioneer that announces the first bid for the item;
receive a second bid for the item from a workstation associated with another user;
determine that the second bid is a current highest bid for the item;
cause the animated auctioneer to announce the second bid for the item based at least in part on determining that the second bid is the current highest bid for the item;
determine that a subsequent bid for the item has not been received within a first pre-determined time period after announcing the current highest bid;
cause the animated auctioneer to make a first announcement regarding termination of bidding based at least in part on the determination; and
cause the first workstation to display a second animated character as an animated bid spotter that solicits bids from the first user after the first announcement.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention relates to systems and methods for implementing an automated auction process that is held at a designated time on the Internet, and that ends after bidding has been completed. In accordance with these systems and methods, a server connected to a plurality of workstations may establish several auctions that allow for efficient trading of multiple goods, while simulating the live and dynamic setting of traditional auctions.
22 Citations
98 Claims
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1. An apparatus for implementing an automated auction process, the apparatus comprising:
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a processor; and a memory operable to; store a profile associated with a first user; store data regarding a plurality of animated characters; and store a program for controlling the processor; the processor communicatively coupled to the memory and to a plurality of workstations, wherein a first workstation is associated with a first user, and wherein the program controls the processor to; determine a first animated character; receive a first bid for an item from a workstation associated with a user; cause the first workstation to display the first animated character as an animated auctioneer that announces the first bid for the item; receive a second bid for the item from a workstation associated with another user; determine that the second bid is a current highest bid for the item; cause the animated auctioneer to announce the second bid for the item based at least in part on determining that the second bid is the current highest bid for the item; determine that a subsequent bid for the item has not been received within a first pre-determined time period after announcing the current highest bid; cause the animated auctioneer to make a first announcement regarding termination of bidding based at least in part on the determination; and cause the first workstation to display a second animated character as an animated bid spotter that solicits bids from the first user after the first announcement. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45)
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46. A method for implementing an automated auction process, the method comprising:
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storing a profile associated with a first user; storing data regarding a plurality of animated characters; causing a plurality of workstations to display information regarding at least one item, wherein a first workstation is associated with the first user; determining a first animated character; receiving, from at least one workstation associated with a user, a first bid on the at least one item from; causing the first workstation to display the first animated character as an animated auctioneer that announces the first bid for the at least one item; receiving, from at least one workstation associated with another user, a second bid on the at least one item; determining that the second bid is a current highest bid on the at least one item based at least in part on the at least one bid; causing the animated auctioneer to announce the second bid for the at least one item based at least in part on determining that the second bid is a current highest bid for the at least one item; determining that a subsequent bid is not received from at least one workstation within a first pre-determined time period after announcing the current highest bid; causing the animated auctioneer to make a first announcement regarding termination of bidding based at least in part on the determination; and causing the first workstation to display a second animated character as an animated bid spotter that solicits one or more bids on the at least one item after the first announcement. - View Dependent Claims (47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98)
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Specification