Virtual online auction forum
AssigneeAuction.com, LLC
InventorRobert Friedman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and system for auctioning an item over a network inside a virtual auction forum populated by graphical representations of users is described. Virtual profiles containing graphical representations are associated with each of the users of an auction forum, and the auction for the item is virtualized. The users of the auction forum participate as bidders in the virtual auction with their graphical representations, and some events in the virtual auction are represented through the users' graphical representations.
Claims20
A method for auctioning an item over a network, the method being implemented by one or more processors and comprising:
- associating a virtual profile with each of a plurality of users of an auction forum, the profile of each user including content corresponding to a graphical representation of the user;
- and,
- virtualizing an auction for an item, the virtual auction including one or more users that each participate in the auction as a bidder,
- wherein virtualizing the auction includes:
- representing each user based on the graphical representation of the user;
- and,
- representing at least some events in the auction through manipulation of the graphical representations of each user.
A computer system comprising:
- a memory that stores a set of instructions, one or more profiles, and a set of content items;
- one or more processors that access the memory to:
- use the one or more profiles to associate a virtual profile with each of a plurality of users of an auction forum, the profile of each user including content corresponding to a graphical representation of the user;
- and,
- use the instructions and the content items to virtualize an auction for an item, by
- representing each user based on the graphical representation of the user;
- and,
- representing at least some events in the auction through manipulation of the graphical representations of each user.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.