Real estate abstract
An on-line interactive, Internet-based real estate service that
provides property listings in the context of a set of user selected
points-of-interest. The real estate service provides a database
of properties and a user sets points-of-interest. The real estate
service calculates and displays distances between properties selected
from the database and the user set points-of-interest. In this way,
the user can search for properties in the context of points of interest.
Real estate claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method for geographically locating a property in a real estate
service that contains data for a plurality of properties, comprising
the steps of:
accepting from a user searching for a property of interest data
indicative of a geographic location of a point-of-interest;
accepting from said user an input indicative of a selection of
a property selected from the plurality of properties;
determining the location of the property relative to the point-of-interest;
and
displaying data indicative of the location of the property relative
to the point of interest.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of determining comprises
the step of determining substantially the shortest distance from
the real estate listing to the point-of-interest.
3. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the step of determining
comprises the step of determining the driving distance from the
real estate listing to the point-of-interest.
4. The method as recited in claim 3 wherein the driving distance
is calculated in one of kilometers, miles, and time.
5. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the step of displaying
comprises the steps of:
displaying the data stored by the real estate service for the property
selected; and
displaying the data indicative of the location of the property
relative to the point-of-interest.
6. The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising the step
of storing the data indicative of said geographic location of the
point-of-interest.
7. A computer-readable medium bearing program code for instructing
a computer to carry out the steps recited in claim 1.
8. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the real estate service
stores data about the properties on a database server.
9. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the data indicative
of a point-of-interest comprises at least a portion of a postal
address.
10. The method as recited in claim 9 further comprising the step
of determining a geo-code corresponding to the location of the point-of-interest.
11. The method as recited in claim 10 wherein the step of determining
the location of the property in relation to the point of interest
comprises the steps of:
determining a geo-code corresponding the property of interest;
and
calculating the distance between the geo-code corresponding to
the property and the geo-code corresponding to the point-of-interest.
12. The method as recited in claim 11 wherein the step of calculating
comprises the step of applying the formula: ##EQU2##
where R is the radius of the sphere,
Lat1 is the latitude (in radians) of the 1.sup.st point,
Long1 is the longitude (in radians) of the 1.sup.st point,
Lat2 is the latitude (in radians) of the 2.sup.nd point, and
Long2 is the latitude (in radians) of the 2.sup.nd point.
13. The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising the step
of dynamically determining the location of the property relative
to the points-of-interest when the property selected changes.
14. A real estate listing system for providing information about
property listings to a client computer over a computer network,
comprising:
a server computer capable of electronic communication with the
client computer via the computer network;
a database of property listings coupled to the server computer,
the serve r computer being capable of selecting properties from
the data base in response to client computer commands;
a user specific database coupled to said server computer for storing
a geographic location for a point-of-interest that is accepted from
the client computer; and
a processor for determining a distance between the geographic location
for the point-of-interest and a geographic location of a property
selected from the database of property listings.
15. The real estate listing system as recited in claim 14 wherein
said computer network comprises an Internet connection.
16. The real estate listing system as recited in claim 14 wherein
the user specific database is stored on the client computer.
17. The real estate listing system as recited in claim 14 further
comprising a display device for displaying the distance between
the point-of-interest and the property selected.
18. The real estate listing service as recited in claim 17 wherein
the display device is coupled to the client computer.
19. The real estate listing service as recited in claim 18 wherein
the display device comprises a computer monitor.
20. The real estate listing service as recited in claim 14 wherein
the distance is derived from a straight line distance between the
point of interest and the property of interest.
21. The real estate listing service as recited in claim 14 wherein
the point-of-interest is defined by a street address.
22. The real estate listing service as recited in claim 21 comprising
a software module for converting the street address and property
of interest to a geocode.
23. A computer readable medium having computer executable components
comprising:
a database component for storing a plurality of property listings;
a user interface component for receiving from a user searching
for a property-of-interest a set of points-of-interest;
a user interface component for receiving a selection of said property-of-interest
from the plurality of property listings; and
a component for determining the location of the property of interest
in relation to the points-of-interest.
24. The computer-readable medium as recited in claim 23 further
comprising a module for displaying the relation of the property-of-interest
to the points-of-interest.
25. The computer readable medium as recited in claim 23 wherein
the relation between the property-of-interest and the points-of-interest
comprises a distance.
26. The computer readable medium as recited in claim 25 wherein
the distance comprises one of miles, kilometers, and time.
27. The computer readable medium as recited in claim 25 wherein
the distance comprises a distance between a geocode corresponding
to the property of interest and a geocode for each point-of-interest.
28. The computer readable medium as recited in claim 23 further
comprising a database component for storing selected points-of-interest.
Real estate description
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates generally to computer services and
more particularly to a system for providing a user of a computerized
real estate service with geographic reference information.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The Internet is rapidly evolving into a major shopping medium for
consumers. Everything, including books, CDs, automobiles, and real
estate, can be advertised, auctioned, sold, purchased, or otherwise
researched on-line. Moreover, many of these items are offered on
a variety of different Internet sites. Hence, the Internet user
(i.e., consumer or purchaser) is in the position of choosing among
competing Internet sites offering the same or similar goods and
services. Thus, to differentiate itself, an Internet site must offer
the user some added value.
Real estate shopping is rapidly becoming an important on-line shopping
activity. Internet based real estate services offer numerous advantages
over traditional real estate services. For example, in traditional
real estate shopping, purchasers rely on real estate agents to provide
information about properties that meet selected criteria of price
and location. Additionally, the purchasers must spend many hours
collecting and reviewing various real estate advertising publications.
By contrast, Internet real estate services provide the real estate
purchaser with much of the same information, some of it once exclusively
available to agents, with the click of a mouse button.
Typically, when a prospective real estate purchaser identifies
a property of interest, the purchaser learns the property's street
address and little else. In such a case, the purchaser must supplement
the information provided to better understand the location of the
property. For example, the purchaser could rely on the personal
knowledge of a real estate agent to learn more precisely the location
of the property.
In some on-line real estate services, the purchaser may employ
mapping technology to place the property in context geographically,
i.e., by plotting a point representing the property on a map of
the area. While such mapping technology is useful, it still does
not present the purchaser with the information that may be of primary
importance. In particular, a purchaser is typically most interested
in how far his prospective new home is from the workplace, schools,
mass transportation, or like points-of-interest.
Thus, there is a need for an on-line real estate service that provides
a prospective purchaser with location information about a prospective
property and provides that location information in a context useful
to the purchaser.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is generally directed to an interactive,
Internet-based real estate service that has an integrated property
searching service. The real estate service employs a database of
real property listings and a user interface permitting users to
define points-of-interest. The points-of-interest defined by a particular
user are stored and used to calculate distances to properties selected
from the property listings database. The distances can be presented
in terms of linear distances or driving distances. In this manner,
the user may interactively adjust his search criteria while observing
how far the newly identified property listings are from the defined
points-of-interest.
In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the buyer identifies
one or more points-of-interest by address or from a list generated
by the system based on a property of interest. After identifying
the points-of-interest, the points are converted to "geocodes,"
preferably by searching an address-to-geocodes database. A geocode
is simply defined as a latitude and longitude pair that correspond
to a specific location. A similar conversion process is used to
obtain the geocodes for the property of interest. The geocodes of
the points-of-interest and the property of interest are then used
in an algorithm that determines linear distance, driving distance,
or the like, between each point-of-interest and the property of
interest. The distance information can then be displayed in a manner
usable by the user, for example, to allow the user to compare properties
of interest.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description
of the preferred embodiments, is better understood when read in
conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating
the invention, there is shown in the drawings exemplary constructions
of the invention; however, the invention is not limited to the specific
methods and instrumentalities disclosed. In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is a block diagram representing a computer system in which
aspects of the present invention may be incorporated;
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram representing a network system in
which aspects of the present invention may be incorporated;
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the functional operation of the system
of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a flow diagram in accordance with an aspect of the method
of the present invention; and
FIG. 5 is a flow diagram in accordance with another aspect of the
method of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
OVERVIEW
Prospective real property purchasers are increasingly shopping
for property via the Internet. Internet based real estate services
provide database listings of available properties. As such, a purchaser
armed with a personal computer can connect to the Internet and browse
the property databases provided by the real estate services for
available property. If an interesting property is discovered, the
user can seek more information about it, such as location information.
The location information for the property typically includes only
a street address. However even with the street address, unless the
purchaser is intimately familiar with the area, the relative location
of the property will be unclear.
Techniques such as mapping technology help to place the property
in context geographically, e.g., by plotting a point representing
the property on a map of the area. The present invention provides
the purchaser with more relevant property location information,
i.e. in relation to points-of-interest. In particular, the purchaser
can search for prospective properties in relation to the office,
schools, mass transportation, or like points-of-interest.
EXEMPLARY OPERATING ENVIRONMENT
1. A Computer Environment
FIG. 1 and the following discussion are intended to provide a brief
general description of a suitable computing environment in which
the invention may be implemented. Although not required, the invention
will be described in the general context of computer-executable
instructions, such as program modules, being executed by a computer,
such as a client workstation or a server. Generally, program modules
include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures
and the like that perform particular tasks or implement particular
abstract data types. Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciate
that the invention may be practiced with other computer system configurations,
including hand-held devices, multi-processor systems, microprocessor-based
or programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputers,
mainframe computers and the like.
The invention may also be practiced in distributed computing environments
where tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are
linked through a communications network. In a distributed computing
environment, program modules may be located in both local and remote
memory storage devices.
As shown in FIG. 1, an exemplary system for implementing the invention
includes a general purpose computing device in the form of a conventional
personal computer 20 or the like, including a processing unit 21,
a system memory 22, and a system bus 23 that couples various system
components including the system memory to the processing unit 21.
The system bus 23 may be any of several types of bus structures
including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, and
a local bus using any of a variety of bus architectures. The system
memory includes read-only memory (ROM) 24 and random access memory
(RAM) 25. A basic input/output system 26 (BIOS), containing the
basic routines that help to transfer information between elements
within the personal computer 20, such as during start-up, is stored
in ROM 24. The personal computer 20 may further include a hard disk
drive 27 for reading from and writing to a hard disk, not shown,
a magnetic disk drive 28 for reading from or writing to a removable
magnetic disk 29, and an optical disk drive 30 for reading from
or writing to a removable optical disk 31 such as a CD-ROM or other
optical media. The hard disk drive 27, magnetic disk drive 28, and
optical disk drive 30 are connected to the system bus 23 by a hard
disk drive interface 32, a magnetic disk drive interface 33, and
an optical drive interface 34, respectively. The drives and their
associated computer-readable media provide non-volatile storage
of computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules
and other data for the personal computer 20.
Although the exemplary environment described herein employs a hard
disk, a removable magnetic disk 29 and a removable optical disk
31, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other
types of computer readable media which can store data that is accessible
by a computer, such as magnetic cassettes, flash memory cards, digital
video disks, Bernoulli cartridges, random access memories (RAMs),
read-only memories (ROMs) and the like may also be used in the exemplary
operating environment.
A number of program modules may be stored on the hard disk, magnetic
disk 29, optical disk 31, ROM 24 or RAM 25, including an operating
system 35, one or more application programs 36, other program modules
37 and program data 38. A user may enter commands and information
into the personal computer 20 through input devices such as a keyboard
40 and pointing device 42. Other input devices (not shown) may include
a microphone, joystick, game pad, satellite disk, scanner or the
like. These and other input devices are often connected to the processing
unit 21 through a serial port interface 46 that is coupled to the
system bus, but may be connected by other interfaces, such as a
parallel port, game port or universal serial bus (USB). A monitor
47 or other type of display device is also connected to the system
bus 23 via an interface, such as a video adapter 48. In addition
to the monitor 47, personal computers typically include other peripheral
output devices (not shown), such as speakers and printers.
The personal computer 20 may operate in a networked environment
using logical connections to one or more remote computers, such
as a remote computer 49. The remote computer 49 may be another personal
computer, a server, a router, a network PC, a peer device or other
common network node, and typically includes many or all of the elements
described above relative to the personal computer 20, although only
a memory storage device 50 has been illustrated in FIG. 1. The logical
connections depicted in FIG. 1 include a local area network (LAN)
51 and a wide area network (WAN) 52. Such networking environments
are commonplace in offices, enterprise-wide computer networks, Intranets
and the Internet.
When used in a LAN networking environment, the personal computer
20 is connected to the local network 51 through a network interface
or adapter 53. When used in a WAN networking environment, the personal
computer 20 typically includes a modem 54 or other means for establishing
communications over the wide area network 52, such as the Internet.
The modem 54, which may be internal or external, is connected to
the system bus 23 via the serial port interface 46. In a networked
environment, program modules depicted relative to the personal computer
20, or portions thereof, may be stored in the remote memory storage
device. It will be appreciated that the network connections shown
are exemplary and other means of establishing a communications link
between the computers may be used.
2. A Network Environment
As noted, the computer described above can be deployed as part
of a computer network. In general, the above description applies
to both server computers and client computers deployed in a network
environment. FIG. 2 illustrates one such exemplary network environment
in which the present invention may be employed. FIG. 2 shows a network
including client computers 20a, a server computer 20b, and databases
70 and 72. The client computers 20a are in communication with the
server computer 20b via communications network 80, e.g., the Internet.
The client computers are connected to the communications network
by way of communications interfaces 82. The communications interfaces
can be any one of the well-known communications interfaces such
as Ethernet connections, modem connections, and so on.
Server 20b has access to databases 70, 72. Database 70 contains
the real estate listings for a real estate service and includes
property addresses, photographs, and so on. User database 72 contains
information stored for individual users of the service, as described
more fully below. The databases are shown as coupled to the server
20b via connections 74. However, the databases 70, 72 may reside
on server 20b or another server (not shown) connected to communications
network 80. For example, user database 72 may be stored locally
on client computer 20a and accessible to server 20b via communications
network 80. User database 72 allows software executing on the communications
network to be customized for individual client computers.
Server computer 20b hosts a real estate service, preferably as
an Internet site implemented in HTML, DHTML, or some other Internet
development language. Client computer 20a can access and communicate
with the real estate server hosted by server 20b via the Internet.
Preferably, client computer 20 uses a standard Internet browser
to communicate with server computer 20b.
Points-of-Interest Real Estate Locator
FIG. 3 functionally depicts how a user interacts with the real
estate service of the present invention. The windows are exemplary
windows that may be displayed by the browser. Typically, the user
browses for properties in real estate listings database 70 by way
of client computer 20a in communication with server computer 20b
via the Internet. The property selection (4) from the real estate
listings can be based on specific address, general location, price,
or other search criteria. When a property of interest is found,
the property is displayed in property window 90, shown here displaying
a picture of an exemplary property 90a and the exemplary property
address 90b.
To put the property in a geographic context that is significant
to the user, the user can input a set of points-of-interest (1),
(2), and (3). In the example of FIG. 3, the points of interest are
input into window 92 as specific addresses known to the user. Alternatively,
the points-of-interest can be selected from a list of predefined
points-of-interest maintained by the system. Such a list can be
based, for example, on the location of selected properties such
as zip code, neighborhood, or the like and changed as the selected
property is changed.
After the points-of-interest are selected, they can then be rendered
on a map or otherwise presented to the user. Here, the points-of-interest
are further put in context for the user by rendering all of the
points on a single map that is displayed in window 94. After the
points-of-interest are input by the user, the system stores them
in user database 72. The system then uses the points-of-interest
and the selected property to calculate distance information to the
points-of-interest, as indicated by process 76. The distance information
is then displayed in Distance to Points-of-Interest window 96.
In the present example, the distances are displayed in window 96
as miles between the property selected and each point-of-interest.
However, the distance could alternatively be displayed as other
distance units such as kilometers, driving distance, straight-line
distance (i.e., "as the crow flies"), driving time, or
the like. Additionally, or alternatively, driving directions between
the points-of-interest and the selected property could be displayed.
According to an aspect of the invention, the points-of-interest
persist in the user database 72 until changed by the user. In this
way, the user is free to browse the real estate listings database
for other properties and to compare the resulting changes in the
distance to the points-of-interest among properties selected. Hence,
the points-of-interest would serve as a frame of reference while
comparing properties.
A flow chart depicting the process of locating property in relation
to selected points-of-interest is shown in FIG. 4. Preferably, the
user first inputs a set of points-of-interest (step 102). The system
then retrieves geographic information for the points-of-interest
from an address to geographic information database 73 (step 104).
For example, if the user inputs a street address for a point-of-interest,
the system can search a database such as the Microsoft Streets Database.
Preferably, the conversion database will convert the street address
into a geocode. For example, longitude and latitude pair 47.6400271567582
and -122.130520057787 represent the geocode that correspond to the
address 1 Microsoft Way, Redmond, Wash.
If any of the points-of-interest previously selected by the user
do not exist in the conversion database, then the user is informed
of the error and given the opportunity to correct it (step 106).
On the other hand, if all points-of-interest are in the conversion
database then the process proceeds.
The geographic conversion information is then stored in user database
72 for future use (step 108). Preferably, the geocode corresponding
to the selected point-of-interest is stored. User database 72 is
available to the system executing on server computer 20b (as shown
in FIG. 2). Database 72 is preferably stored as a "cookie"
file on client computer 20a. The user is then ready to search for
property with reference to the points-of-interest (step 120).
FIG. 5 presents a flow chart of the process for displaying selected
properties in reference to the points-of-interest. Here, the user
searches for a property by entering an address, selecting it from
a list of properties meeting user search criteria, or the like (step
121). After the property is identified, listing information is retrieved
from listings database 70, e.g., property photograph 90a (step 122).
The property information is then rendered on client computer 20a.
The previously entered and stored points-of-interest are then retrieved
from user database 72. If no points-of-interest are available, e.g.,
they were not entered or they were deleted, a message is displayed
on the client computer 128 that indicates to the user the points-of-interest
should be entered (steps 125, 128). On the other hand, the previously
stored points-of-interest are used to calculate the distance between
each point-of-interest and the selected property (steps 125, 126).
Preferably, the geographic information for the points-of-interest
and the selected property contains geocodes as described in detail
above. Any exemplary calculation for calculating the straight-line
distance between a geocode for the selected property and a point-of-interest
is shown below: ##EQU1##
where R is the radius of the sphere,
Lat1 is the latitude (in radians) of the 1.sup.st point,
Long1 is the longitude (in radians) of the 1.sup.st point,
Lat2 is the latitude (in radians) of the 2.sup.nd point, and
Long2 is the latitude (in radians) of the 2.sup.nd point.
As described above, the present invention provides for locating
property in an on-line real estate service using points-of-interest.
The invention enables a user to determine the location of property
in a meaningful way that places the property in the geographic context
of shopping centers, schools, mass transportation, and the like.
While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and
alternative constructions, certain illustrated embodiments have
been shown in the drawings and accompanying detailed description.
It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to
limit the invention to the specific constructions disclosed herein.
On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover all modifications,
alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the scope
and spirit of the invention. |