Real estate abstract
A system and method for accessing real estate information over
a communications network includes positioning a user at a desired
piece of property. A database containing the real estate information
is accessible over the communications network, preferably via a
wireless device that includes location determination means for determining
the geographic position of the user. The wireless device accesses
the database via the communications network based upon the current
geographic position, and the database returns information relating
to the property located proximate to the geographic position of
the wireless device.
Real estate claims
What is claimed is:
1. A system for accessing real estate information over a communications
network, comprising:
a database containing real estate information and property location
information related to a geographic position, said database being
accessible over the communications network; and
a wireless device communicating with said database over the communications
network and including location determination means for determining
the geographic position of said wireless device, whereby said database
accesses said property location information via the communications
network based upon the geographic position provided by said wireless
device, said database returning said real estate information to
said wireless device, said returned real estate information relating
to a property located proximate to the geographic position of said
wireless device.
2. A method for accessing a real estate database over a communications
network via a wireless device, comprising:
positioning a user at a desired piece of property;
activating the wireless device;
determining a geographic position of the user via the wireless
device;
accessing the real estate database via the communications network
based upon the geographic position of the user; and
returning information relevant to the desired piece of property
over the communications network to the wireless device.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein said returning information relevant
to the desired piece of property includes returning real estate
information.
4. The method of claim 2, further comprising:
querying the user for input based on said returned information;
receiving input from the user based on querying the user; and
providing additional real estate information regarding the property
based upon the input received.
5. A real estate information system, comprising:
a database including information about a plurality of properties,
said information including real estate information and property
location information, said database being accessible over a communications
network, said database being accessible by a wireless device configured
to communicate with the communications network and including a location
determining device configured to determine a geographic position
of the wireless device, said database communicating at least a portion
of said real estate information to said wireless device, said communicated
portion of said real estate information relating to a property located
proximate to the determined geographic position.
6. The real estate information system of claim 5, wherein said
database contains real estate information and property location
information related to a plurality of geographic positions.
7. A method of retrieving real estate information, comprising:
providing over a communications network a geographic position of
a wireless device to a real estate information system, said information
system including information about a property, said information
including real estate information and property location information;
and
receiving said location information and said real estate information
from said real estate information system, said real estate information
related to a property proximate to the geographic position.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein said receiving real estate information
includes receiving information describing at least one of sale price,
realtor, floor plan, physical description, or owner contact information.
9. The method of claim 7, wherein said providing information related
to a geographic position includes:
providing geographic position information from the Global Positioning
System.
10. The method of claim 7, wherein said providing information related
to a geographic position includes:
providing geographic position information over at least a portion
of a wireless network.
11. The method of claim 7, wherein said providing information related
to a geographic position includes:
providing geographic position information, said geographic position
information being determined by the wireless device.
12. The method of claim 7, wherein said providing information related
to a geographic position includes:
providing geographic position information, said geographic position
information first being received by the wireless device.
13. A method of providing real estate information from a real estate
information system to a wireless device, the method comprising:
receiving geographic position information from the wireless device
that identifies a geographic position of the wireless device;
accessing a database including location information and real estate
information related to a property using the geographic position
information; and
transmitting to the wireless device said real estate information
related to a property proximate to said geographic position.
14. A wireless device for obtaining real estate information, comprising:
a transmitter operable with a position determining system that
provides geographic position information including a geographic
position of the wireless device to an information system, the information
system including information about a property, said information
including real estate information and property location information;
a receiver that receives said real estate information based on
said geographic position from said information system.
15. The wireless device of claim 14, further comprising:
a display configured to display said real estate information received
from said information system.
16. The wireless device of claim 14, further comprising:
an audio device configured to output said real estate information
from said information system.
17. A method of accessing a database including information about
properties with a wireless device, said information including real
estate information and property location information, the method
comprising:
determining the geographic position of the wireless device;
retrieving real estate information for one of the properties in
the database using the geographic position of the wireless device
to access the information about the properties via the property
location information.
18. Computer executable software code stored on a computer readable
medium operable with a wireless device, the code for:
providing a geographic position associated with the wireless device
to a real estate information system having real estate information
and location information; and
receiving said real estate information from said real estate information
system, said real estate information related to a property proximate
to the geographic position, said real estate information retrieved
by said real estate information system using said location information.
Real estate description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a device for accessing a property-centric
real estate database, and, more particularly, to a wireless device
that uses global positioning data to access the real estate database
based upon the property located near the user.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The traditional method of buying real estate requires the prospective
purchaser to transact through a real estate broker for virtually
every aspect of the transaction, from finding a desired property
to completing the sale. Often the most difficult part of the process,
from the buyer's perspective, is locating a desired piece of real
estate. There are generally two methods employed to locate a desired
piece of property.
The first relies solely on the real estate broker to use his or
her contacts/tools, i.e., mls (multiple listing service) network,
to locate property that meets the buyer's specifications. The second
is more random, in that if a buyer happens to pass a piece of property
that is displaying a "for sale" sign, the buyer can write
down the phone number shown on the sign to later inquire about the
property, which then places the transaction totally within the broker's
hands, as the broker controls all the information relating to the
property (e.g., size and cost).
Over the last few years, various computer-related methods for locating
real estate have been introduced. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,032,989
relates to a computerized map-based real estate search system in
which a user can zoom in on a map to greater levels of detail, in
order to obtain a more accurate view of the location of an available
piece of property. The mapping system in the '989 patent is centered
about a user-selectable landmark, and the different maps that are
generated are also centered about the landmark. There is an associated
property database which can be accessed remotely either by searching
by specified criteria or by using the mapping system. Additionally,
U.S. Pat. No. 5,852,810 covers an Internet-based, map-based real
estate search system which operates in a similar manner as the '989
patent. The system disclosed in the '810 patent also permits a user
to search criteria after narrowing the map-based search down to
the city level, thereby allowing a criteria-based search in addition
to a location-based search.
When accessing property information via a computer, it is often
desirable to view the property at the same time. In this regard,
U.S. Pat. No. 5,794,216 recites an interactive multimedia real estate
database including interior images and exterior images of a house,
the floor plan of the house, and a textual description of the property.
Additionally, links are provided on the exterior image of the house
that, if clicked, permit the user to view the interior of the corresponding
room.
The foregoing patents require a user to be located at a computer,
and remote from the property. The technology disclosed in these
patents is not very effective when a buyer is driving past a particular
piece of property and would like additional information about the
property. It would be desirable for a prospective buyer to be able
to access information relating to a piece of property as the buyer
was present at the property, at any time of day, and whether or
not the property displayed a "for sale" sign. This type
of information is ideally suited to be transmitted via a wireless
device.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,930,699 relates to an address retrieval system
based on the position of a cellular telephone. A cell phone user
can request information relating to businesses that are located
in the proximity of the user, based upon the geographic position
of the user as determined by pinpointing the location of the cell
phone. Once the location of the user is determined, a database that
is keyed on geographic location is searched, looking for businesses
of the type requested by the user (e.g., restaurants, gas stations,
hotels, etc.) that are located in the area around the user.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,938,721 discloses a mobile computer system having
a built-in global positioning system (GPS) locator and an associated
database that displays relevant information to the user based upon
the user's current location. The database is accessed in real time
as the user's position changes and is primarily focused on task-based
information. For example, if a stored task is to buy milk, as the
user approaches the grocery store, he or she is reminded to buy
milk. This patent also discusses route planning between multiple
stops, as well as a business-locating function similar to that described
in the '699 patent.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A system for accessing real estate information over a communications
network includes a database or multiple databases containing the
real estate information, the database being accessible over the
communications network; and a wireless device communicating with
the communications network and including location determination
means for determining the geographic position of the wireless device,
whereby the wireless device accesses the database via the communications
network based upon the geographic position of the wireless device,
the database returning information relating to a property located
proximate to the geographic position of the wireless device.
A method for accessing ,a real estate database over a communications
network via a wireless device includes the steps of positioning
a user at a desired piece of property; activating the wireless device;
determining the geographic position of the user via the wireless
device; accessing the database via the communications network based
upon the geographic position of the user; and returning information
relevant to the property over the communications network to the
wireless device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a better understanding of the present invention, reference
is made to the following detailed description of an exemplary embodiment
considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a network overview of a system for accessing a real estate
database constructed in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a flowchart of the operation of the system shown in FIG.
1;
FIGS. 3a-3d are screen shots of information retrieval from the
database via the wireless device shown in FIG. 1; and
FIGS. 4a-4f are screen shots of a search of the database via the
wireless device shown in FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
As shown in FIG. 1, a system 10 for accessing a real estate database
includes a real estate database 12 that is connected to a communications
network 14. The user may be an individual such as a real estate
broker or a consumer. A computer terminal 16 is connected to the
network 14 for accessing the database 12. Although only one computer
16 is shown in FIG. 1, the database 12 can be accessed simultaneously
by a plurality of computers 16. A wireless device 18 can also connect
to the network 14 in order to access the database 12. Preferably,
the wireless device 18 is a hand-held electronic device including
a global positioning system(GPS) locator which can be location-pinpointed
using known means. Among the alternative means which may be used
is CDMA cellular positioning technology from Qual Comm. Alternatively,
the wireless device 18 can include a cellular telephone capable
of receiving and displaying non-voice data and which can be location-pinpointed
using known means. The device can also be a network hybrid device.
The types of location methods for use in the present invention can
comprise EOA, TOA, GPS cell ID and network-assisted GPS systems.
The communications network 14 can be any type of communications
network, such that the computer 16 and the wireless device 18, whether
a hand-held electronic device or a cellular telephone, can both
access the database 12. The network 14 is preferably the Internet,
thereby permitting any device, wired or wireless, that uses the
Internet Protocol standard to be able to access the database 12.
The database 12 is preferably an ODBC-complaint database, such
that it is accessible via a variety of database programs. The database
12 includes a variety of different information regarding each property
stored therein. In one embodiment, the database 12 includes textual
data (e.g., sale price, historical sale data), and in others a recorded
or live voice description or voice-activated prompts of a description
of the property, such that this information can be retrieved by
either the wireless device 18 or the computer 16. Preferably, the
database 12 also includes photographs of the property, floor plans
of any buildings on the property (in two-dimensional view), and
three-dimensional views, animation, or video footage of the property,
representing a virtual walk-through of the property. The accessibility
of these graphical elements of the database 12 is dependent upon
the display capabilities of the receiving device and the wireless
network. Ideally, the database 12 is used in connection with a multiple
listing service (MLS) to provide information on as large a number
of properties as possible.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the system 10 in
connection with the wireless device 18. Beginning at step 30, a
user is present at a property in which they are interested. Such
a property need not be listed as being for sale; the user merely
needs to be physically located at the property. The user then activates
the wireless device 18 in step 32, and in step 34, the wireless
device 18 determines the user's geographic position through known
methods. Based upon the geographic position of the user, the wireless
device 18 accesses the database 12 in step 36 and retrieves information
relating to the property where the user is located at the time the
database 12 is accessed. Note, that this process can also be used
in reverse using a set of criteria to search for property, and with
GPS activated directions to matching properties from the user's
location. In step 38, the user can access additional information
relating to the property, make a bid on the property, schedule an
appointment to view the property, or search for additional properties,
all through the wireless device 18. It is to be noted and stressed
that the present invention may be used in conjunction with a wireless
operating system such as the WAP internet protocol.
If the user is accessing the database 12 via the computer terminal
16 instead of the wireless device 18, the user will not be present
at the property and can search the database 12 to locate a desired
property. Preferably, a user of the computer terminal 16 will access
the database 12 over the network 14 via a World Wide Web browser,
such as Netscape Navigator.RTM. or Microsoft Internet Explorer.TM..
The information in the database 12 can be transmitted to the computer
terminal 16 in any browser-compatible format, such as HTML; software
programs for transmitting and formatting the information are known
in the art. This information can also be downloaded at the Internet
site and forwarded to the wireless device to promote continuity
of property search, study, e-mail alerts, and transaction capabilities.
When the user of the wireless device 18 is present at a desired
property, he or she can retrieve information about the property,
through screens like those shown in FIGS. 3a-3d. The first screen
the user sees is a location screen 50, which contains a plurality
of street addresses 52-56. Due to the imprecise nature of commercial
GPS systems, the exact location of the user may be incorrect by
several feet, and therefore, in order to compensate for the imprecision,
the location screen 50 displays several possible addresses in the
vicinity of the user (however, the list is not limited to three
items as shown in FIG. 3a). Of the GPS location determination is
sufficiently accurate to pinpoint a specific property, it is highlighted
as shown at 54. If the highlighted property is not the one the user
is interested in, the user can select one of the other listed properties
52, 56. The conduct search option 58 will be discussed below in
connection with FIGS. 4a-4f. If the user would like to receive assistance
at any time during the information retrieval process, the user can
select to call an agent item 60, and the user will be connected
to a call center or Realtor-connected office to receive additional
instruction or information. The call agent item 60 is accessible
from any of the information retrieval screens.
After the user selects the desired property (shown at 54 in FIG.
3a), an information selection screen 70 as shown in FIG. 3b is displayed.
The information screen 70 contains a menu with selections such as
sale price 72, historical data 74, voice description 76, and graphics
78. The list can be expanded beyond these four options, such as
for analysis, valuation, financing or other tools relating to the
real estate transaction. Selecting the sale price item 72 will show
the user the current sale price for the property, as will be discussed
below. Choosing the historical data item 74 will show the user the
historical sale prices for the property, in order to assess the
property's appreciation over time. Electing the voice description
option 76 will play back a spoken description of the property or
live help. Lastly, selecting the graphics item 78 will display any
available graphics (e.g., floor plans, exterior or interior views,
or walkthroughs) relating to the property.
If the user selects the sale price item 72, a retrieved. data screen
80 will be displayed and is shown in FIG. 3c. The retrieved data
screen includes the sale price 82, an option to make an appointment
84 to view the property, and the ability to place a bid 86 on the
property. Assuming the user selects the make appointment item 84,
the user will seen an appointment scheduling screen 90 as shown
in FIG. 3d. From the scheduling screen 90, the user can choose from
pre-selected appointment times such as today 92, tomorrow 94, or
schedule a different appointment time 96. If the user selects the
bid item 86, the user will be prompted to enter a bid amount, which
will be transmitted back to the database 12.
FIGS. 4a-4f show the screen shots on the wireless device 28 when
the user desires to search for a particular piece of property. Referring
to FIG. 4a, which is shown after the user's location has been determined
via GPS, a search screen 100 is shown and includes a list 102 of
street addresses of nearby properties and a conduct search item
104. If the user would like to receive assistance at any time during
the search process, the user can select the call an agent item 106,
and the user will be connected to a call center or Realtor-connected
office to receive additional instruction or information. The call
agent item 106 is accessible from any of the search screens.
The user enters the search process after selecting the conduct
search item 104, and is shown a property type screen 110 (FIG. 4b).
The remainder of the discussion regarding the search function relates
to a user searching for a residential property. The search function
is also applicable to a search for commercial property; the main
differences being some of the options available in the screen shots
shown in FIGS. 4b and 4e. As shown in FIG. 4b, the property type
screen includes options for sale property 112 and rental property
114. After selecting the property type, the user is shown a search
type screen 120 as illustrated in FIG. 4c. The search type screen
120 displays a menu of search options, including search by town
122, search by zip code 124, search by present location 126, and
search by street address 128.
Assuming that the user chooses the search by present location item
126, a narrow search screen 130 (FIG. 4d) is displayed, from which
the user can narrow the geographic scope of the search by selecting
a predefined radius 132. Next, the user selects the price range
for the property from a price search screen 140, as shown in FIG.
4e. The price search screen 140 presents a list 142 of price ranges;
the list 142 shown in FIG. 4e is an arbitrary breakdown by price,
and can be refined to include additional price categories. If the
user selects one of the other search types 122, 124, 128, the user
will be prompted to enter the information necessary to complete
the search. The entered information will then be transmitted back
to the database 12.
FIG. 4f shows a sort screen 150 which permits the user to select
the order in which he or she wishes to review the search results.
The same sort screen 150 is shown regardless of the search type
122-128 selected by the user. The results can be sorted by proximity
to the user's present location 152, in descending order starting
with the most expensive property 154, in ascending order beginning
with the least expensive property 156, and by property rating 158.
The property rating 158 is a proprietary rating determined on the
basis of the condition of the property, the location of the property,
and the list price of the property.
It will be understood that the embodiment described herein is merely
exemplary and that a person skilled in the art may make many variations
and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of
the present invention. All such variations and modifications are
intended to be included within the scope of the invention as defined
in the appended claims. |