Patent ID: 8036949

Claim:
A system for conducting an online auction, comprising: at least one server accessible by a user with a local computer; and, auction software stored on a computer readable medium and executable by said at least one server; said auction software allowing a seller in communication with said at least one server to: determine an auction category for an auction item; determine a visual representation of said auction item; determine a type of simulated representation of an auctioneer selected from a plurality of types of simulated representations of an auctioneer; determine a virtual environment from a plurality of virtual auction environments for display on said local computer; said virtual environment providing an auction backdrop to showcase said auction item by said simulated representation of an auctioneer; conduct a real-time auction with said simulated representation of an auctioneer by soliciting bids from said user; said soliciting bids from said user comprising movement of said simulated representation of said auctioneer and speaking dialog to said user via said local computer; transmit real-time auction information between said local computer and said at least one server; determine a winning bid for said auction item and end said real-time auction.