Real estate abstract
A search and retrieval system includes a data terminal which displays
icons representing properties in a given real-estate market on a
digital map. The icons are selectable so that, when selected, information
derived from an MLS or other database are displayed in association
with the map. In one embodiment, the data terminal is equipped with
a GPS receiver and data-enabled mobile phone. The GPS receiver receives
location data which is used by a processor to display an icon representing
a current location of the terminal within the map. The data-enabled
phone links the terminal to a remote server or database of property
information, which may also be displayed when property icons are
selected on the map. The property information may include media
(e.g., bitmap) data that provide a visual depiction of the property
icons selected. By integrating all of these digital sources of information
on one terminal, the efficiency and accuracy of the property buying
experience is significantly enhanced.
Real estate claims
We claim:
1. A method of displaying current market information to prospective
buyers about real-estate property in a geographical area of interest
on a mobile computing device, comprising: generating and displaying
a digital map for viewing by said prospective buyer on said mobile
computing device for said area of interest; obtaining current status
property information for an item of property in the real-estate
market for the area of interest, wherein said property information
is obtained from a database stored on said mobile computing device
and includes at least a location, market price and a market status
of the item of property; displaying a property icon on said digital
map at the location of the item of property, wherein the property
icon is associated with the item of property in the real-estate
market; and displaying, in response to the property icon being selected,
at least the market price and the market status of the item of property
associated with the selected property icon.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein said digital map shows at least
one street within said area of interest.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein said step of displaying a property
icon includes: displaying said property icon on or adjacent to said
street.
4. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving location
data indicative of a current location of the mobile computing device
in said area of interest; wherein said step of generating and displaying
said digital map generates and displays a digital map for said area
of interest based on the location data received in said receiving
step.
5. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving location
data indicative of a current location of the mobile computing device
in said area of interest; and displaying, on said digital map, information
indicative of the current location of said mobile computing device
in said area of interest.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the digital map is displayed
in a first window on said mobile computing device, and wherein said
property information includes a digital image of said item of property,
and said digital image of said item of property is displayed in
a second window in response to the property icon being selected.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein said database is derived from
a database of MLS listings.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein said property information additionally
includes at least one of demographics information related to said
item of property, current owner information for said item of property,
property specification information and real-estate broker information.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein said obtaining step includes
obtaining property information which includes locations, market
price and market status of a plurality of items of property in said
area of interest, and wherein said displaying a property icon step
includes displaying a property icon for each of said plurality of
items of property with said digital map.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the digital map with the plurality
of property icons displayed on the map is displayed in a first window,
property information of an item of property is displayed in a second
window in response to the property icon associated with the item
of property being selected in the first window, and textual information
relating to each of the plurality of items of property is displayed
in a third window.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein said second window includes
at least one user-modifiable field, and wherein if a user enters
information in said second window, the database is searched for
items of property that match the user-entered information, and items
of property that match the user-entered information are displayed
in the third window.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein a user-modifiable field in
the second window is market price range, and wherein if a user enters
a price range in the market price range field, the database is searched
for items of property whose market price is in the entered range,
and items of property whose market price is in the entered price
range are displayed in the third window.
13. The method of claim 1, wherein said market status information
is selected from the group consisting of sold, available or under
contract.
14. A real-estate market information mobile computing device, comprising:
a map generation unit for generating a digital map covering an area
of interest; a storage unit for storing property information which
includes at least a location, a market price and a market status
of an item of property in said area of interest; a processor for
determining information needed to display a property icon for the
item of property at the location of the item of property on said
digital map, and for determining information needed to display property
information about the item of property associated with the property
icon, in response to the property icon being selected, and a display
unit for displaying said generated digital map and the property
icon, and for displaying the associated property information for
the item of property when the associated property icon is selected.
15. The real-estate market information mobile computing device
of claim 14, wherein said property information about the item of
property displayed in response to the property icon associated with
the item of property being selected includes at least one of a digital
image of said item of property, demographics information related
to said item of property, current owner information for said item
of property, property specification information, market price information,
and market status information.
16. The real-estate market information mobile computing device
of claim 14, wherein said digital map shows at least one street
within said area of interest.
17. The real-estate market information mobile computing device
of claim 16, wherein said property icon is displayed on or adjacent
to said street.
18. The real-estate market information mobile computing device
of claim 14, further comprising: a location determining unit which
determines a current location of said mobile computing device, said
location determining unit inputting information indicative of said
current location to said map generation unit, said map generation
unit automatically generating said digital map covering said area
of interest based on said current location information.
19. The real-estate market information mobile computing device
of claim 18, wherein said location determining unit is a GPS receiver.
20. The real-estate market information mobile computing device
of claim 14, wherein said property information additionally includes
a digital image of said item of property.
21. The real-estate market information mobile computing device
of claim 14, wherein said property information additionally includes
at least one of demographics information related to said item of
property, current owner information for said item of property, property
specification information, and real-estate broker information.
22. The real-estate market information mobile computing device
of claim 14, wherein said property information stored in the storage
unit is comprised of a database of one or more MLS listings.
23. The real-estate market information mobile computing device
of claim 14, wherein said storage unit stores MLS listing information,
wherein the location of said item of property is included within
said MLS listing information.
24. The real-estate market information mobile computing device
of claim 14, wherein said market status information is selected
from the group consisting of sold, available or under contract.
25. The real-estate market information mobile computing device
of claim 14, wherein said display unit displays the generated digital
map with the property icon in a first window, and wherein said property
information includes a digital image of the item of property, and
said digital image of said item of property is displayed in a second
window in response to the property icon being selected.
26. The real-estate market information mobile computing device
of claim 14, wherein stored property information includes locations
of a plurality of items of property in said area of interest, and
wherein said processor determines information needed to display
a plurality of selectable icons corresponding to locations of each
of the plurality of items of property, respectively, said locations
included within said property information stored in said storage
unit.
27. The real-estate market information mobile computing device
of claim 26, wherein said display unit displays the digital map
with the plurality of property icons displayed on the map in a first
window, property information of an item of property in a second
window in response to the property icon associated with the item
of property being selected in the first window, and textual information
relating to each of the plurality of items of property in a third
window.
28. The real-estate market information mobile computing device
of claim 27, wherein said second window includes at least one user-modifiable
field, and wherein if a user enters information in said second window,
the processor searches a database stored in the storage unit for
items of property that match the user-entered information, and the
display unit displays items of property that match the user-entered
information in the third window.
29. The real-estate market information mobile computing device
of claim 28, wherein a user-modifiable field in the second window
is market price range, and wherein if a user enters a price range
in the market price range field, the processor searches the database
for items of property whose market price is in the entered range,
and the display unit displays items of property whose market price
is in the entered price range in the third window.
30. A computer-readable medium storing a program to be implemented
in a processing unit of a mobile computing device, said computer-readable
medium including: a first code section for controlling a display
of a digital map covering an area of interest on the mobile computing
device; a second code section for obtaining property information
which includes at least a location, a market price and a market
status of one an item of property in said area of interest, wherein
said property information is stored in a database on the mobile
computing device; a third code section for displaying a property
icon at the location of the item of property on said digital map,
wherein the property icon is associated with the item of property;
and a fourth code section for displaying, in response to the property
icon being selected, at least the market price and the market status
of the item of property associated with the selected property icon.
31. The computer-readable medium of claim 30, said method computer-readable
medium further comprising: a fifth code section for additionally
displaying, in response to said selection, at least one of a digital
image of said item of property, demographics information related
to said item of property, current owner information for said item
of property, property specification information and real-estate
broker information.
32. The computer-readable medium of claim 30, further comprising:
a sixth code section for receiving location data indicative of a
current location of the mobile computing device in said area of
interest; and a seventh code section for automatically generating
said digital map based on the current location data received in
said sixth code section.
33. The computer-readable medium of claim 30, further comprising:
a sixth code section for receiving location data indicative of a
current location of the mobile computing device in said area of
interest; and a eighth code section for displaying, on said digital
map, information indicative of the current location of said mobile
computing device in said area of interest.
Real estate description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention generally relates to information search and retrieval
systems, and more particularly to a system and method for locating
property in connection with a real-estate transaction. The invention
also relates to an interactive data terminal which provides information
for guiding buyers on a tour of property in a real-estate market,
and which simultaneously retrieves and displays in an integrated
form listing, media, and other data relating to properties included
on the tour.
2. Description of the Related Art
Buying a home is one of the most important experiences in a person's
life, and one of the most expensive. The home a person buys ultimately
depends on the quantity and quality of information he or she is
able to obtain about the market place prior to purchase. Locating
this information for the buyer is the job of the real estate agent.
The techniques real estate agents currently use are antiquated
and largely ineffective. A typical scenario involves assigning a
buyer to an agent who has at least a working knowledge of a particular
area of the market. During an initial consultation, the buyer gives
the agent an idea of property he or she would like to buy or rent
and a general idea of where that property should be located. Based
on this information, the agent searches the Multiple Listing Service
(MLS) database to locate properties that are currently available.
A second meeting is then set up with the buyer for the purpose of
visiting those properties.
During the second meeting, the agent must figure out exactly where
the properties are located. A route must then be plotted for visiting
those properties. This is usually done using paper maps and print-outs
of MLS listings, which the agent often carries within him in the
car. The use of paper maps and MLS listings has proven to be time-consuming,
cumbersome, and generally inefficient.
Another drawback of current techniques relates to the need to physically
visit properties with the market. Once the agent knows the general
area of interest to the buyer, he usually escorts the buyer to each
of the properties. Many times, however, the buyer does not even
enter the properties because he can tell from just their outward
appearance that they are unsuitable. The need to physically visit
each and every property in a market to determine whether they are
suitable wastes the buyer's and agent's time and, further, adds
to the inefficiency of the home-buying experience.
Undoubtedly, there is a need for the real-estate industry to embrace
new technologies in meeting buyers' needs. The industry has admittedly
done a poor job doing so. Today, nearly two-thirds of all real estate
brokers do not have a web presence, and nearly one third do not
even use e-mail in their jobs. While this trend is slowly changing,
the underlying process remains substantially the same. In the vast
majority of cases, real-estate agents still rely on paper resources
to develop property tours for buyers and are still required to chauffeur
customers to physical property sites.
In view of the foregoing considerations, it is clear that there
is a need for an improved system and method for developing property
information that can be used by real-estate agents in assisting
their customer needs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is one objective of the present invention to provide a system
and method which increases the efficiency of the home-buying experience
from both the agent's and buyer's perspective.
It is another objective of the present invention to achieve the
aforementioned object by using digital technology to substantially
reduce or altogether replace the paper resources an agent must rely
on to obtain property information in a real-estate market.
It is another objective of the present invention to provide a data
terminal equipped with management software which develops a digital
guided tour of a particular area of a real-estate market.
It is another objective of the present invention to develop the
guided tour by integrating a digital map with property information
from a database which is either resident in the terminal or linked
to the terminal through a communications network.
It is another objective of the present invention provide a data
terminal of the aforementioned type which is portable, so that the
terminal may be used by buyers and/or agents during a guided property
tour.
It is another objective of the present invention to provide a data
terminal of the aforementioned type which has a graphical user interface
which allows a buyer to use the terminal without the assistance
of an agent during a property tour, and which simultaneously provides
the buyer with real-time property information derived from the MLS
or other comparable database.
The foregoing and other objects of the invention are achieved by
system and method for providing property information to buyers in
real estate market place using digital technology. The system and
method uses a tool in the form of a data terminal which stores management
software that integrates a digital map with information derived,
for example, from an MLS database. This information includes the
location of properties in the market as well as other attributes.
In addition to or in lieu of MLS information, the property information
may include media data in the form of a digital image and/or movie
clip, as well as other information which each real-estate agent
may customize into the system.
In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the data terminal
is a stand-alone system which includes a map generation unit, a
storage unit, a processor, and a display. The map generation unit
generates a digital map of an area of interest designated by a user.
Preferably, the map includes street address labels and/or other
symbols of topological and man-made features in the coverage area.
The storage unit stores property information derived from an MLS
database, media information, and/or other customized information
which may be considered important to a customer in purchasing, leasing,
or renting property. The processor implements management software
which integrates the property information with the digital map.
The integration of this information includes the display of icons
which correspond to properties available in the map. Advantageously,
the icons are selectable by the user. When selected, property information
obtained from the storage unit is displayed in association with
the map. The invention, thus, serves as a tool which guides buyers
on a digital tour of properties in a market, while simultaneously
providing real-time information for each of those properties.
Preferably, the data terminal is mobile in nature, taking the form
of a notebook or laptop computer or even a personal digital assistant
or so-called pocket PC. If mobile, the terminal of the invention
may advantageously replace all the paper sources which real-estate
agents traditionally used in assisting buyers in purchasing property.
Also, when equipped with an easy-to-use graphical user interface,
the terminal of the invention may be used by the buyer to develop
his own guided tour, without the assistance of a real-estate agent.
This saves time, relieves the buyer from "sales pressure"
from the agent, and increases the overall efficiency of the home-buying
experience. If desired, the terminal may be a desktop unit located
in a real-estate agent's office.
In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the data
terminal communicates with one or more external sources of information.
This embodiment is similar to the previous embodiment in that it
includes a map generation unit, storage unit, processor, and display.
In addition to these features, the terminal is equipped with a receiver
for acquiring location data from an external positioning system,
which may be satellite-based, cellular-based, or any other type
capable of tracking the position of an object in an area of interest.
Preferably, the receiver is a GPS receiver linked to the data terminal
processor.
In operation, the location data receiver inputs position information
into the processor, which then generates an icon corresponding to
the position of the data terminal on the digital map. Advantageously,
the processor updates the position of this icon as the terminal
moves through the mapped region. If desired, the GPS receiver may
be connected to the map generation unit, so that upon start-up the
processor and map generation unit cooperate to automatically generate
a digital map based on the location of the terminal. This is a particularly
advantageous feature of the invention because a digital map of a
market area with all the aforementioned icons may be generated without
any input from the agent or agent buyer.
According to another aspect of the invention, the storage unit
and/or processor may be connected to a remote data source through
a communications link. The communication link may be established
by a data-enabled mobile phone in the terminal or by another wireless
communications device. The link may also be formed by a hard-wired
connection, if desired. The remote data source may be a remote server
connected to a website which contains MLS and/or other information.
The server may also be a database in the real-estate agent's office
which has been filled with MLS and non-MLS information customized
to meet the agent's perceived needs of his buyers. The non-MLS information
may include the media information (e.g., a digital image or movie
clip) previously mentioned.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a diagram of a first embodiment of the system of the
present invention which includes a stand-alone data terminal for
locating property information in a real-estate market.
FIG. 2 is flow diagram showing steps included in a first embodiment
of the method of the present invention for locating property information
in a real-estate market.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a computer screen generated
in accordance with the system and method of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a second embodiment of the system of
the present invention which includes a data terminal for locating
property in a real-estate market, which data terminal may be mobile
or stationary in nature.
FIG. 5 is a flow diagram showing steps included in a second embodiment
of the method of the present invention for locating property information
in a real-estate market.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing another example of a computer screen
generated in accordance with the system and method of the present
invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The present invention is a system and method which uses digital
technology to acquire and then present in integrated form information
relating to one or more properties in a real-estate market. The
information may correspond to commercial or residential property
which is offered for sale, lease, or rental in a particular area,
and when equipped with appropriate interface software may be used
by agents and/or buyers alike in pinpointing property that most
likely will suit the buyers needs. The present invention is also
a mobile data terminal which may be used as a tool by real-estate
agents and buyers for displaying information of the aforementioned
type.
Referring to FIG. 1, a first embodiment of the system of the present
invention includes a stand-alone data terminal for helping buyers
and/or real-estate agents locate property information in a specific
geographic area. The terminal is equipped with a map generation
unit 1, a storage unit 2, a processor 3, and a display 4. Preferably,
the terminal is mobile in nature, taking the form of a notebook
or laptop computer, personal digital assistant, pocket-PC, web-enabled
phone, or other portable device having at the very least a processor
and memory. Alternatively, the terminal may be a desktop computer
located, for example, in a real-estate broker's office, an agent's
home, or in any of a variety of other fixed locations. In the case
where the terminal is mobile, a real estate office may loan the
terminal to buyers for use on their own time.
The map generation unit 1 generates a digital map for presentation
on the display of the terminal. The digital map covers areas in
a real-estate market which, for example, have been designated by
a user using a keyboard or other input device. The areas cover one
or more counties, cities, or towns in a state. If memory requirements
permit, a map of an entire state or region of the country (e.g.,
the mid-Atlantic region) may be generated.
Preferably, the maps generated by unit 1 are detailed enough to
show streets in at least a portion of the selected geographic area.
Other features typically found on paper maps may also be shown,
including but not limited to: topological features (e.g., bodies
of water, mountains, etc.), parks, military installations, schools,
amenities (e.g., shopping areas, food, lodging, etc.), recreational
facilities (e.g., golf courses, swimming pools, community centers,
etc.), subway and/or train routes, airports, government buildings,
and zoning information. For convenience purposes, the streets and
other features on the map may be labeled by one or more symbols
or icons. Map generation units of this type are known by those skilled
in the art and may include, for example, MapPoint offered by Microsoft
or those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,844,570 and 5,884,216. A
web-accessible map generation program which also may be used in
accordance with the present invention goes under the name of MapQuest..RTM.
The storage unit 2 stores information considered to be important
by a real-estate agent and/or a buyer in searching for property
to buy, lease, or rent. In this stand-alone embodiment, unit 2 preferably
contains property information derived from the Multiple Listing
Service (MLS). This information includes specific data on the properties
available in a given market, including location (e.g., address,
apartment number, lot number, etc.) data, price, amenities (e.g.,
deck, finished basement, hot tub, etc.), numbers and types of bathrooms,
bedrooms, lot size, model type, status data such as whether the
property is available, been sold, or is under contract, and MLS
listing numbers which may be used for future reference or tracking
purposes. Information identifying the real-estate broker and/or
his or her contact information may also be included in the storage
unit.
Other data not usually found in an MLS database may also be included
in the storage unit. According to one particularly advantageous
feature of the invention, one or more digital images (e.g., JPEG
files) or movie clips (e.g., MPEG files) of properties in the market
may be stored in the storage unit. This media information may be
considered highly desirable in pinpointing properties which match
buyer needs and desires. At the very least, the media information
will allow buyers to eliminate properties from their search that
might "sound good on paper," but which are undesirable
in their appearance. Eliminating these properties expedite the home-buying
process, thereby allowing the agent and buyer to concentrate their
time on only those properties which have the highest likelihood
of satisfying buyer requirements.
In terms of hardware, the storage unit of the present invention
may be any type found in a data terminal or computing device. For
example, if the terminal is a notebook computer, the storage unit
may be a hard-drive, non-volatile memory, or even a removable storage
medium such as a floppy disk or CD-ROM. If the terminal is a PDA,
the storage unit may take the form of a flash memory. If desired,
the storage unit of the present invention may include a combination
of the aforementioned storage devices. Those skilled in the art
can appreciate that the aforementioned types of devices are mentioned
merely by way of example, and that if desired other conventional
types of storage devices may be used.
The processor 3 may be any type capable of running a program or
script for performing the information search, retrieval, and data
integration functions of the invention. If the mobile terminal is
a notebook computer, the processor may be a microprocessor running
an application program which performs various management functions
necessary for implementing the method of the present invention.
These management functions include retrieving information from the
map generation and storage units based on various data inputs and
commands, as well as integrating this information for presentation
on the display of the terminal.
Information retrieval is preferably guided by a search function
of the management program. In accordance with the present invention,
the search function is performed automatically in response to displayed
icon selections, to be described in greater detail below, and/or
other information input by a user. In this latter case, a user may
input one or more characteristics of a property of interest into
dedicated fields of a computer screen to initiate a search, e.g.,
a user may formulate a search statement which indicates a single-family
home in the price range of $ 300,000-$ 350,000 having 4 full baths
and a brick front. The management software may also control the
manner in which information is modified, added, or deleted from
the map generation and/or storage units of the invention. Also,
where necessary, the program may allow units in the various embodiments
of the invention to communicate with one another, in a manner that
will become more apparent below.
The management program is preferably adapted to operate with a
graphical user interface which allows for easy data entry and search
functions. This interface may include, for example, one or more
control screens with dedicated data fields for receiving user inputs.
These fields advantageously allow users to customize searches for
property meeting their specifications. The graphical user interface
also organizes the presentation of information output from the map
generation and storage units.
The display 4 may be any type conventionally known. For example,
if the terminal is a mobile unit, the display may be a TFT-driven
liquid crystal display. If the terminal is for desktop use, a standard
CRT monitor or flat-panel display may be used. If the terminal is
a PDA, a smaller LCD display is preferable.
FIG. 2 is a flow diagram showing steps included in a first embodiment
of the method of the present invention, which may be implemented
by the stand-alone system previously described. The method begins
by having a real-estate agent or other user enter property information
into the terminal which identifies a geographical area having one
or more properties available on the market. (Block 10). The property
information may be entered into one of the data fields previously
mentioned, and may correspond to a city, town, or county or even
a specific address.
In a second step, the property information is used as a basis for
generating a digital map by the map generation unit. (Block 20).
If the property information is a geographical area, the processor
inputs this information directly into the map generation unit, which
outputs an appropriate map in response. The digital map may cover
all or part of the area specified according to one or more user-specified
settings or a default setting. If a specific address is entered,
the digital map may cover a predetermined radius centered on that
address. Of course, as with many standard map generation programs
the coverage area may be changed by the user. These keys may allow
a user to zoom the map coverage area in or out, or may allow the
map to skew in any desired direction (north, south, east, west).
In a third step, the processor searches the storage unit based
on the property information entered by the user, and more specifically
to generate a list of properties in the specified area and/or their
accompanying attributes. (Block 30). This property information may
be any of the types previously described, including MLS data, media
information, and other customized information which may be considered
important to a buyer in searching for a home, apartment, lot, etc.
In a fourth step, the processor associates the property information
obtained from the third step with the digital map generated in the
second step to form an integrated output on the display of the user's
terminal. (Block 40). The integrated output is advantageously arranged
in selected areas of a dedicated computer screen which forms all
or part of the graphical user interface.
FIG. 3 shows an example of a computer screen generated by the processor
which integrates the property information and digital map associated
during the fourth step. This computer screen was generated as a
result of a user entering location data designating the geographical
area of Arlington, Va. Using this data, the map generation unit
generated a map 100 covering this area. The processor then controlled
the location on the computer screen where the map is to be displayed.
The results of the storage unit search were then integrated with
the map. In the particular example shown, the integration includes
the overlaying of icons 110 on the map, where each icon represents
the location of a property available in the region covered. The
icons may be in the form of any symbol or mark. In accordance with
a preferred embodiment of the invention, the icons resemble the
type of property at that location, e.g., houses, apartment buildings,
lots, etc. The display of icons on the digital map advantageously
give a user a clear indication of the number and location of properties
in the area.
The location of each icon on the map is derived, for example, from
the MLS information produced from the storage unit as a result of
the search. For example, in the area of Arlington shown, the processor
search produced ten properties in the area covered by the map. The
MLS information corresponding to these properties include addresses
which are used by the processor to generate and then overlay the
ten house symbols that appear on map 100. A textual listing of these
properties with one or more attendant attributes were then displayed
in a separate window 150 adjacent the map. This textual listing
included information such as MLS number, street address, city, housing
development name, market status (e.g., active, contract, sold, etc.),
lot price and/or size, numbers of bedrooms, bathrooms, etc.
In a fifth step of the method, a user selects one of the displayed
icons 135 using an input device such as a mouse, trackball, or touch
pad. (Block 50). The selection of an icon causes additional information
specific to the selected property to appear in window areas 160
and/or 170 of the display. (Block 60). In accordance with an especially
advantageous feature of the invention, media information corresponding
to the selected property is displayed in window 160. The media information
may be any of those previously discussed including one or more digital
images or even a movie clip. The digital image may show different
views of the property, both inside and out. In FIG. 3, the front
exterior of the property is shown. If desired, views of the backyard
and/or selected areas inside the house may be displayed.
In window 170, textual information specific to the selected property
is shown. This information includes, for example, agent, school,
lot, and/or price information, all of which may or may not be derived
from an MLS database. (At this point, it is important to note that
information other than MLS information may be stored in the storage
unit. For example, in addition to MLS information the terminal of
the invention may store non-MLS information including the names
of middle schools or high schools, history information such the
age of the property, previous owner names, etc., and tax lien, zoning,
and/or covenant information, just to name a few.)
In another step of the method, the user selects the other icons
on the map. Each selection causes the processor to automatically
output related media and/or textual information in windows 160 and
170.
In another step of the method, a user may expand or otherwise alter
the search by expanding or reducing the coverage area of the map
using, for example, the "Zoom In" and "Zoom Out"
selection areas 180 and 185. The processor may be responsive to
these zoom functions to automatically update the search for information
in the storage unit. For example, if a user selects the Zoom Out
button to obtain map showing a larger area surrounding the city
of Arlington, the processor automatically searches the storage unit
for properties which reside in that expanded area. Icons are then
generated in those expanded area which the user can select to obtain
additional information. The list in window 150 is also updated.
If desired, instead of selecting icons, a user may directly selected
one of the properties listed in window 150.
The system and method of the present invention as described above
expedites the home-buying experience in a number of ways. For example,
if the terminal of the present invention is mobile, an agent and
home buyer may take the terminal with them in the car while driving
in the area shown on the digital map. By selecting the various icons,
the buyer may eliminate undesirable properties on the basis of the
digital image and/or textual data displayed on the terminal, thereby
expediting the process. If the buyer would like to consider properties
in different geographical locations while out on a trip with an
agent, he can do so simply by generating a digital map of those
locations. This map may then be used as a convenient and accurate
guide for reaching properties in those locations.
If the terminal of the present invention is at a fixed location
such as in the agent's office, the invention may be used to allow
the buyer to pre-screen properties before venturing out on a trip
with the agent. This saves time and makes the search more efficient
by targeting only those locations which likely will be most attractive
to the buyer.
One variation to the method of the present invention contemplates
directly entering information into one of the data fields in window
170. For example, if an agent or buyer knows the MLS number of a
property in which he is interested, he may type this number into
the MLS number window 190. In response to this information, the
processor will automatically retrieve and display data from the
storage unit which corresponds to this listing. The medial information
in window 160 may then be displayed. Additionally, the processor
may control the map generation unit to display a map covering a
predetermined area surrounding the location of the listing. Like
in the previous case, the map may include icons representing available
property in the area displayed in the map. A similar set of steps
may occur when, for example, price range and/or other information
is input in the windows.
Another variation of the method of the present invention is performed
in connection with an Internet website or other type of network
link. Under these circumstances, the data terminal is equipped with
a communications module for connecting to the network. If the data
terminal is a mobile one, the communications module may be a data-enabled
web phone. Otherwise, the module may be any known type of modem.
In operation, after a user connects to the website, a password may
be entered to gain access to the system. The user may then be presented
with a screen which requests him to enter information which, for
example, identifies a specific property or geographical area. Once
the user enters this information, the website responds by generating
a map including icons identifying property available in the coverage
region as well as other information as discussed herein.
Referring to FIG. 4, a second embodiment of the system of the present
invention includes a terminal having a map generation unit 201,
a storage unit 202, a processor 203, and a display 204. Unlike the
first embodiment, this terminal is not a stand-alone system but
rather is a mobile terminal connected to a location-positioning
system via a communications link. The positioning system may be
the Global Positioning System (GPS) or any of a variety of other
positioning systems which use, for example, satellite data to determine
location on a digital map. Accordingly, the terminal of the second
embodiment includes a location data receiver 205 which may be a
GPS receiver adapted to operate with a digital map. GPS receivers
of this type are known to those skilled in the art. See, for example,
U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,321,158 and 6,256,582.
FIG. 5 is a flow diagram showing steps included in a second embodiment
of the method of the present invention, which may be implemented
by the system shown in FIG. 4. The method begins by having a real-estate
agent or other user enter property information into the terminal
which identifies a geographical area having one or more properties
for available on the market. (Block 210). The property information
may be entered into one of the data fields previously mentioned,
and/or may correspond to a geographical area such as city, town,
or county or even a specific address.
In a second step, the property information is used as a basis for
generating a digital map by the map generation unit. (Block 220).
The digital map may cover all or a portion of the area specified
according to one or more user-specified settings or a default setting.
If a specific address is entered, the digital map may cover a predetermined
radius centered on that address. Of course, as with many standard
map generation programs the coverage area may be changed by the
user.
In a third step, the processor searches the storage unit based
on the property information entered by the user, and more specifically
to determine a list of available properties in the specified area
and/or their accompanying attributes. (Block 230).
In a fourth step, the processor associates the information obtained
from the third step with the digital map generated in the second
step to form an integrated output on the display of the user's terminal.
(Block 240). This results in the display of selectable icons on
the digital map and/or textual information in window 170. The first
through fourth steps may be performed in a manner analogous to those
discussed with respect to the first embodiment.
In a fifth step, the GPS receiver in the terminal receives location
data from the GPS system. As shown in FIG. 6, receipt of this data
may be initiated by the "Turn GPS On" selection window
177 in FIG. 3. This location data specifies a current position of
the terminal, to within a small error. The GPS receiver inputs the
location data into the processor, which then generates an icon 280
on the digital map indicating the current position of the terminal.
(Block 250). Because the GPS receiver is a dynamic device, it continuously
or at least periodically receives location data which updates the
current location of the terminal as the terminal moves. The processor
receives this data and causes the current-position icon 280 to move
in a corresponding manner. As a result, a user can observe his location
on the digital map relative to the locations of the properties identified
by the selectable icons.
Subsequent steps of the method may be performed in a manner analogous
to those in the first embodiment. These steps relate to: the selection
of property icons and the subsequent display of specific property
information associated with those icons, including media information
in window 160 and textual information in window 170; the display
of additional property icons when the map is zoomed in and out;
as well as the other steps described with respect to the first embodiment.
As an alternative to the first and second steps, the second embodiment
of the method of the present invention may begin with activation
of the GPS receiver via selection area 208. (Block 260). This will
cause the GPS receiver of the terminal to receive GPS data indicative
of a current location of the terminal. This data is then forwarded
to the processor, which then automatically activates the map generation
unit to generate a map of an area surrounding the current location
of the terminal, as determined by the received GPS data. (Block
270). Subsequent steps of the method may then proceed as described
above.
In another variation of the second embodiment, the GPS receiver
may be directly connected to the map generation unit. When location
data is received from the receiver, the map generation unit may
automatically respond by generating a map of a surrounding area
on the display.
In another variation of the second embodiment, the terminal of
the present invention is connected to a remote storage device. As
shown in FIG. 4, this device 300 may be a remote server connected
to a network such as the Internet, or a database located, for example,
in a real-estate agent's office. In the former case, the remote
server may be connected to an MLS website. In operation, when property
information is input into the mobile terminal by a user the processor
will automatically connect to the remote server. A search will then
be performed of the MLS data at this website to obtain the information
corresponding to a selected property icon. This data is then returned
to the terminal for display.
If the remote device is a database in the agent's home office,
the database may be loaded with MLS data on a periodic basis so
that it is kept up to date. The database may also be furnished with
media information and other types of non-MLS data as previously
mentioned. When a search is initiated on the terminal, the processor
may then acquire information from the database for display on the
terminal. The connection between the mobile terminal and remote
device may be any type of communications link known. Preferably,
the connection is a wireless communications link which is operatively
connected to a data modem installed in the mobile terminal. If desired,
however, hard-wired connections may be used.
Other modifications and variations to the invention will be apparent
to those skilled in the art from the foregoing disclosure. Thus,
while only certain embodiments of the invention have been specifically
described herein, it will be apparent that numerous modifications
may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope
of the invention. |