Patent ID: 7440912

Claim:
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.