U.S. patent application number 14/047820 was filed with the patent office on 2014-04-10 for home tour and open house scheduler.
The applicant listed for this patent is APRIL ALEXANDER, VINCENT CHANG, JENNIFER CHAO, JAMES DEMICHELE, SHRENIK DEVASANI, BEN FULTON, SETH GOLDENBERG, MEGHAN KILGORE, CHUNG LAI, BEN LASLEY, LUKE MISENHEIMER, HAMILTON NGUYEN, NAVTEJ SADHAL, JANSEN SHENG, JULIA TEITELBAUM, HAIYUN HELEN WENG, TIMOTHY WOO, JUSTIN YAN, DARREN YEUNG, THOMAS YOUNG. Invention is credited to APRIL ALEXANDER, VINCENT CHANG, JENNIFER CHAO, JAMES DEMICHELE, SHRENIK DEVASANI, BEN FULTON, SETH GOLDENBERG, MEGHAN KILGORE, CHUNG LAI, BEN LASLEY, LUKE MISENHEIMER, HAMILTON NGUYEN, NAVTEJ SADHAL, JANSEN SHENG, JULIA TEITELBAUM, HAIYUN HELEN WENG, TIMOTHY WOO, JUSTIN YAN, DARREN YEUNG, THOMAS YOUNG.
Application Number | 20140100905 14/047820 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50433414 |
Filed Date | 2014-04-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140100905 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
ALEXANDER; APRIL ; et
al. |
April 10, 2014 |
HOME TOUR AND OPEN HOUSE SCHEDULER
Abstract
A computer-implemented method includes providing to a user
access, via an electronic network, to a memory device on which are
stored listings of parcels of real property. A selection of a set
of the stored listings is received from the user via the electronic
network. In response to receiving the selection, at least a portion
of a first itinerary is generated including an indication of at
least one time at which the user will receive permitted physical
access to at least one parcel of real property associated with the
selected set of stored listings. The first itinerary is then
provided to the user.
Inventors: |
ALEXANDER; APRIL; (SAN
FRANCISCO, CA) ; CHAO; JENNIFER; (SAN FRANCISCO,
CA) ; YEUNG; DARREN; (LOS ALTOS HILLS, CA) ;
CHANG; VINCENT; (SAN FRANCISCO, CA) ; LASLEY;
BEN; (DALY CITY, CA) ; FULTON; BEN; (SAN
FRANCISCO, CA) ; SHENG; JANSEN; (SAN FRANCISCO,
CA) ; DEMICHELE; JAMES; (AUSTIN, TX) ; YOUNG;
THOMAS; (RENTON, WA) ; DEVASANI; SHRENIK;
(REDWOOD CITY, IN) ; SADHAL; NAVTEJ; (SAN
FRANCISCO, CA) ; MISENHEIMER; LUKE; (OAKLAND, CA)
; WENG; HAIYUN HELEN; (SAN FRANCISCO, CA) ;
NGUYEN; HAMILTON; (IRVINE, CA) ; WOO; TIMOTHY;
(SAN FRANCISCO, CA) ; GOLDENBERG; SETH; (SAN
FRANCISCO, CA) ; LAI; CHUNG; (SAN FRANCISCO, HK)
; YAN; JUSTIN; (SEATTLE, WA) ; KILGORE;
MEGHAN; (SEATTLE, WA) ; TEITELBAUM; JULIA;
(LITTLE, CO) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
ALEXANDER; APRIL
CHAO; JENNIFER
YEUNG; DARREN
CHANG; VINCENT
LASLEY; BEN
FULTON; BEN
SHENG; JANSEN
DEMICHELE; JAMES
YOUNG; THOMAS
DEVASANI; SHRENIK
SADHAL; NAVTEJ
MISENHEIMER; LUKE
WENG; HAIYUN HELEN
NGUYEN; HAMILTON
WOO; TIMOTHY
GOLDENBERG; SETH
LAI; CHUNG
YAN; JUSTIN
KILGORE; MEGHAN
TEITELBAUM; JULIA |
SAN FRANCISCO
SAN FRANCISCO
LOS ALTOS HILLS
SAN FRANCISCO
DALY CITY
SAN FRANCISCO
SAN FRANCISCO
AUSTIN
RENTON
REDWOOD CITY
SAN FRANCISCO
OAKLAND
SAN FRANCISCO
IRVINE
SAN FRANCISCO
SAN FRANCISCO
SAN FRANCISCO
SEATTLE
SEATTLE
LITTLE |
CA
CA
CA
CA
CA
CA
CA
TX
WA
CA
CA
CA
CA
CA
CA
WA
WA
CO |
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
IN
US
US
US
US
US
US
HK
US
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
50433414 |
Appl. No.: |
14/047820 |
Filed: |
October 7, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61710606 |
Oct 5, 2012 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
705/7.19 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 40/134 20200101;
G06Q 50/16 20130101; H04L 67/42 20130101; G06Q 30/0613 20130101;
G06F 40/14 20200101; H04L 67/02 20130101; G06F 16/00 20190101; H04W
4/029 20180201; G06Q 10/1095 20130101; G06F 7/06 20130101; G06Q
30/0623 20130101; G06Q 30/0257 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/7.19 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 50/16 20060101
G06Q050/16; G06Q 10/10 20060101 G06Q010/10 |
Claims
1. At least one computer-readable medium on which are stored
instructions that, when executed by at least one processing device,
enables the at least one processing device to perform a method
comprising the steps of: providing to a user access, via an
electronic network, to a memory device on which are stored listings
of parcels of real property; receiving, via the electronic network,
from the user a selection of a set of the stored listings; in
response to receiving the selection, generating at least a portion
of a first itinerary including an indication of at least one time
at which the user will receive permitted physical access to at
least one parcel of real property associated with the selected set
of stored listings; and providing the first itinerary to the
user.
2. The medium of claim 1, wherein the parcels of real property are
offered for sale at the time of user access to the memory
device.
3. The medium of claim 1, wherein the first itinerary is provided
to the user via a short message service message.
4. The medium of claim 1, wherein the first itinerary includes a
finite duration during which the user will receive the permitted
physical access.
5. The medium of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the first
itinerary is manually generated.
6. The medium of claim 4, wherein the duration is determined based
on the square footage of at least one parcel associated with the
selected set.
7. The medium of claim 4, wherein the duration is determined based
on the geographic region within which the at least one parcel
associated with the selected set is located.
8. The medium of claim 4, wherein the duration is determined based
on data characterizing execution by the user of at least one
previously generated itinerary different from the first
itinerary.
9. The medium of claim 1, wherein the first itinerary includes
identification of at least one agent to accompany the user during
the physical access to the at least one parcel.
10. The medium of claim 9, wherein generating the first itinerary
comprises accessing an electronic record of the availability of the
at least one agent to accompany the user at the at least one time
indicated by the first itinerary.
11. The medium of claim 1, wherein generating the first itinerary
comprises calculating a travel time between first and second
parcels associated with the selected set.
12. At least one computer-readable medium on which are stored
instructions that, when executed by at least one processing device,
enables the at least one processing device to perform a method
comprising the steps of: providing to a user access, via an
electronic network, to a user interface enabling the user to view
listings of parcels of real property stored on a memory device and
provide a selection of a set of the stored listings; receiving, via
the electronic network, the selected set; providing to the user
access, via the electronic network, to a user interface enabling
the user to (a) view a set of dates and at least one indication of
a quantity of open houses hosted on each date of the set of dates
at parcels associated with the selected set of listings, (b)
provide a selection of a date on which the user desires to attend
multiple open houses hosted on the selected date, and (c) provide a
selection of a time window on the selected date during which the
user desires to attend the multiple open houses; receiving, via the
electronic network, the selected date and time window; in response
to receiving the selected date and time window, generating an
itinerary including an indication of a suggested sequence of
attendance of open houses of a set of the multiple open houses and
suggested time periods within the time window on the selected date
during which each open house of the set of the multiple open houses
may be attended; and providing the itinerary to the user.
13. The medium of claim 12, wherein the user selection comprises an
indication of at least one of a city and a neighborhood.
14. The medium of claim 12, further comprising providing a user
interface that enables the user to provide an indication of an
address from which the user desires to begin attendance of open
houses of the set, wherein the suggested sequence and suggested
time periods are based on the indicated address.
15. The medium of claim 12, wherein the user interface comprises a
website.
16. The medium of claim 12, wherein the itinerary is generated
based on a calculation of travel time between a parcel hosting a
first open house of the set and a parcel hosting a second open
house of the set.
17. The medium of claim 12, wherein the itinerary is generated
based on a user designation of an open house of the multiple open
houses as being high-priority.
18. The medium of claim 12, wherein the method further comprises
the step of providing to at least one listing agent access, via the
electronic network, to a user interface enabling the listing agent
to input an indication of a date and time window in which an open
house will be hosted at a parcel associated with the selected set
of listings.
19. The medium of claim 12, wherein the method further comprises
the step of providing to the user access to a user interface
enabling the user to prioritize attendance at a first open house of
the multiple open houses over a second open house of the multiple
open houses.
20. The medium of claim 12, wherein the duration of the suggested
time periods is adjustable by the user.
Description
[0001] PRIORITY CLAIM
[0002] The present application claims priority from U.S.
Provisional Application No. 61/710,606, filed Oct. 5, 2012, which
is incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Real estate transactions often involve a buyer, a seller,
one or more agents (e.g., a listing agent for the seller and
buyer's agent for the buyer), and numerous service providers (e.g.,
escrow professionals, appraisers, home inspectors, lenders, and so
forth. In a typical purchase transaction, the seller lists a
property using a listing server, often through a listing agent,
while buyers go through a search process to identify potential
properties to buy. Once the buyer identifies a property the buyer
wants to buy, the buyer makes an offer to the seller, potentially
each through their respective agents. The seller may either accept
the offer, counteroffer at a different price or other terms, or
reject the offer. Once an offer or counteroffer has been accepted,
the transaction is typically considered pending and on the way to
closing pending inspections, resolving various contingencies,
securing funds from a lender, and so forth.
[0004] Because of the many events and parties involved in a real
estate transaction, it is often difficult for prospective buyers
and sellers to organize times at which the prospective buyer may
tour a seller's property. Buyers need to react quickly to new
listings, price drops, and open houses. They also need to
coordinate with their agent (and possibly with co-buyers) on events
like inspections, contingency removal, loans, and so on. Sellers
also need to coordinate with their agent on events like changes to
their listing, buyer inspections, and so forth. Keeping track of
all of these details or otherwise trying to efficiently schedule
property viewings by a potential purchaser can be overwhelming, if
not impossible.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0005] Preferred and alternative embodiments of the present
invention are described in detail below with reference to the
following drawing figures.
[0006] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an exemplary operating
environment in which an embodiment of the invention can be
implemented;
[0007] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of an exemplary
operating environment in which an embodiment of the invention can
be implemented;
[0008] FIG. 3 illustrates a process according to an embodiment of
the invention;
[0009] FIG. 4 illustrates a process according to an embodiment of
the invention; and
[0010] FIGS. 5-9 are screenshots illustrating functionality of an
embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0011] This patent application is intended to describe one or more
embodiments of the present invention. It is to be understood that
the use of absolute terms, such as "must," "will," and the like, as
well as specific quantities, is to be construed as being applicable
to one or more of such embodiments, but not necessarily to all such
embodiments. As such, embodiments of the invention may omit, or
include a modification of, one or more features or functionalities
described in the context of such absolute terms.
[0012] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a computing system
environment 100 in which an embodiment of the invention may be
implemented. The computing system environment 100, as illustrated,
is an example of a suitable computing environment; however it is
appreciated that other environments, systems, and devices may be
used to implement various embodiments of the invention as described
in more detail below.
[0013] Embodiments of the invention are operational with numerous
general-purpose or special purpose computing system environments or
configurations. Examples of well-known computing systems,
environments, and/or configurations that may be suitable for use
with embodiments of the invention include, but are not limited to,
personal computers, server computers, hand-held or laptop devices,
multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based systems, set-top
boxes, programmable consumer electronics, network PCs,
minicomputers, mainframe computers, distributed computing
environments that include any of the above systems or devices, and
the like.
[0014] Embodiments of the invention may be described in the general
context of computer-executable instructions, such as program
modules being executed by a computer. Generally, program modules
include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures,
etc. that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract
data types. Embodiments of 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 computer storage media
including memory storage devices.
[0015] With reference to FIG. 1, an exemplary system for
implementing an embodiment of the invention includes a computing
device, such as computing device 100. The computing device 100
typically includes at least one processing unit 102 and memory
104.
[0016] Depending on the exact configuration and type of computing
device, memory 104 may be volatile (such as random-access memory
(RAM)), nonvolatile (such as read-only memory (ROM), flash memory,
etc.) or some combination of the two. This most basic configuration
is illustrated in FIG. 1 by dashed line 106.
[0017] Additionally, the device 100 may have additional features,
aspects, and functionality. For example, the device 100 may include
additional storage (removable and/or non-removable) which may take
the form of, but is not limited to, magnetic or optical disks or
tapes. Such additional storage is illustrated in FIG. 1 by
removable storage 108 and non-removable storage 110. Computer
storage media includes volatile and nonvolatile, removable and
non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for
storage of information such as computer-readable instructions, data
structures, program modules or other data. Memory 104, removable
storage 108 and non-removable storage 110 are all examples of
computer storage media. Computer storage media includes, but is not
limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory
technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical
storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage
or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be
used to store the desired information and which can be accessed by
device 100. Any such computer storage media may be part of device
100.
[0018] The device 100 may also include a communications connection
112 that allows the device to communicate with other devices. The
communications connection 112 is an example of communication media.
Communication media typically embodies computer-readable
instructions, data structures, program modules or other data in a
modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or other transport
mechanism and includes any information delivery media. The term
"modulated data signal" means a signal that has one or more of its
characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode
information in the signal. By way of example, the communication
media includes wired media such as a wired network or direct-wired
connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, radio-frequency
(RF), infrared and other wireless media. The term computer-readable
media as used herein includes both storage media and communication
media.
[0019] The device 100 may also have an input device 114 such as
keyboard, mouse, pen, voice-input device, touch-input device, etc.
Further, an output device 116 such as a display, speakers, printer,
etc. may also be included. Additional input devices 114 and output
devices 116 may be included depending on a desired functionality of
the device 100.
[0020] According to one or more embodiments, the combination of
software or computer-executable instructions with a
computer-readable medium results in the creation of a machine or
apparatus. Similarly, the execution of software or
computer-executable instructions by a processing device results in
the creation of a machine or apparatus, which may be
distinguishable from the processing device, itself, according to an
embodiment.
[0021] Correspondingly, it is to be understood that a
computer-readable medium is transformed by storing software or
computer-executable instructions thereon. Likewise, a processing
device is transformed in the course of executing software or
computer-executable instructions. Additionally, it is to be
understood that a first set of data input to a processing device
during, or otherwise in association with, the execution of software
or computer-executable instructions by the processing device is
transformed into a second set of data as a consequence of such
execution. This second data set may subsequently be stored,
displayed, or otherwise communicated. Such transformation, alluded
to in each of the above examples, may be a consequence of, or
otherwise involve, the physical alteration of portions of a
computer-readable medium. Such transformation, alluded to in each
of the above examples, may also be a consequence of, or otherwise
involve, the physical alteration of, for example, the states of
registers and/or counters associated with a processing device
during execution of software or computer-executable instructions by
the processing device.
[0022] As used herein, a process that is performed "automatically"
may mean that the process is performed as a result of
machine-executed instructions and does not, other than the
establishment of user preferences, require manual effort.
[0023] Referring now to FIG. 2, an embodiment of the present
invention may take the form, and/or may be implemented using one or
more elements, of an exemplary computer network system 200. The
system 200 includes an electronic client device 210, such as a
personal computer or workstation, tablet or smart phone, that is
linked via a communication medium, such as a network 220 (e.g., the
Internet), to an electronic device or system, such as a server 230.
The server 230 may further be coupled, or otherwise have access, to
a database 240 and a computer system 260. Although the embodiment
illustrated in FIG. 2 includes one server 230 coupled to one client
device 210 via the network 220, it should be recognized that
embodiments of the invention may be implemented using one or more
such client devices coupled to one or more such servers.
[0024] The client device 210 and the server 230 may include all or
fewer than all of the features associated with the device 100
illustrated in and discussed with reference to FIG. 1. The client
device 210 includes or is otherwise coupled to a computer screen or
display 250. The client device 210 may be used for various purposes
such as network- and local-computing processes.
[0025] The client device 210 is linked via the network 220 to
server 230 so that computer programs, such as, for example, a
browser, running on the client device 210 can cooperate in two-way
communication with server 230. The server 230 may be coupled to
database 240 to retrieve information therefrom and to store
information thereto. Database 240 may have stored therein data (not
shown), such as real-property listings, that can be used by the
server 230 to enable performance of various aspects of embodiments
of the invention. Additionally, the server 230 may be coupled to
the computer system 260 in a manner allowing the server to delegate
certain processing functions to the computer system. In an
embodiment, the client device 210 may bypass network 220 and
communicate directly with computer system 260.
[0026] Still referring to FIG. 2, and in operation according to an
embodiment of the invention, a user (not shown) of the client
device 210 desiring to electronically and/or automatically schedule
a tour of one or more homes for sale, which one or more homes may
or may not be hosting an open house, uses a browser application
running on the client device to access web content, which may, but
need not, be served by the server 230. Specifically, by employing
an appropriate uniform resource locator (URL) in a known manner,
the user may navigate to a website hosted by the server 230.
[0027] FIG. 3 illustrates a process 300 according to an embodiment
of the invention. The process 300 is illustrated as a set of
operations shown as discrete blocks. One or more steps of the
process 300 may be implemented in any suitable hardware, software,
including instructions embodied within components, firmware, or
combination thereof. The order in which the operations associated
with the process 300 are described is not to be necessarily
construed as a limitation.
[0028] At a block 310, the user is provided access, via an
electronic network, to a memory device on which are stored listings
of parcels of real property. For example, upon navigating to the
website, the user may, in a conventional manner, ensure personal
credentials to login to an account maintained by, for example, the
administrators of the website. Subsequently, the user may sort
through and view MLS listings stored in database 240. In a
conventional manner, the user may select one or more of the MLS
listings of homes, including listings stored in database 240 of
homes that are not offered for sale at the time the user navigates
to the website, that the user is interested in purchasing for
inclusion in a "wish list" associated with the user's account.
[0029] At a block 320, a selection of a set of the stored listings
is received from the user. For example, the user may submit to the
server 230 a set of one or more listings from the wish list
associated with parcels of real property that the user desires to
visit in what may be referred to herein as a "tour" of such
parcels. An embodiment may provide the user with the ability to
indicate a "top-priority" parcel to be included in a tour and on
which the development of an itinerary, discussed in greater detail
below, may be based. Additionally, for each parcel selected by the
user, an embodiment may provide suggestions of other parcels
located within a predetermined distance and being similar in price
and/or amenities. In an embodiment, if one of the parcels selected
for the tour becomes subject to a pending sale, or otherwise
becomes unavailable, before the user undertakes the tour, the
user's wish list may be consulted and a "backup" parcel may be
chosen therefrom and suggested to the user as a substitute parcel
for the tour.
[0030] At a block 330, at least a portion of an itinerary is
generated in response to receiving the selection. The itinerary may
include an indication of at least one time at which the user will
receive permitted physical access to at least one parcel of real
property associated with the selected set of stored listings. For
example, in response to receiving from the user the selection of
parcels that the user desires to include in the tour, a tour
itinerary is generated that includes a tour appointment time of
finite duration (e.g., 3 PM to 6 PM), on a date selected by the
user, during which the user will be admitted to the selected
parcel(s). The starting time and duration of the appointment time,
according to alternate embodiments, may or may not be initially
suggested by the user. In the latter case, the start time and
duration of the appointment time may be suggested to the user based
on, for example, the quantity and location of the parcels included
in the tour.
[0031] The itinerary may also include the identity of an agent who
will accompany the user on the tour, and order in which the
selected parcel(s) will be visited, and a schedule of time periods
within the appointment time during which each parcel will be
respectively visited and/or during which access to each parcel will
be granted. In various embodiments, one or more of the
determination, for purposes of generating the itinerary, of
appointment time start and duration, the agent, the order of parcel
visitation and the time period allotted for visitation of each
parcel may be manually made by a representative of the website
administrator using one or more of server 230 and computer system
260 and/or made automatically by one or more of the server and
computer system.
[0032] Regardless of whether the choice of agent is determined
manually or automatically, such determination may be based on an
electronic record of agent availability, which may be stored in
database 240. That is, each eligible agent may post to database 240
their own respective schedule of availability that may be manually
or automatically consulted to determine which agents may be
available to accompany the user on the tour during the appointment
time chosen or requested by the user. Additionally, using a
graphical user interface according to an embodiment, the agent may
specify conditions under which the agent will make herself
available to accompany a user on a tour. For example, the agent may
specify that a certain price threshold for each parcel included in
the tour must be met before the agent is willing to conduct the
tour. The agent may specify that he is only willing to conduct a
tour if the tour is the first one taken by a particular user, or if
the tour is a second or subsequent tour taken by a particular user.
Consequently, the tour itinerary would be generated, manually or
automatically, based on these conditions.
[0033] Additionally, regardless of whether the appointment time
and/or time periods are determined manually or automatically, such
determinations may be based on one or more of the following
exemplary factors, each of which may be embodied in a numerical
score or other data type:
[0034] Market--for example, a particular metropolitan city within
which the parcels requested to be included in the tour are
located;
[0035] Service region--for example, a particular neighborhood or
region of the market city within which the parcels requested to be
included in the tour are located;
[0036] Number of homes included in the tour;
[0037] Number of single-family homes included in the tour;
[0038] Number of condominiums included in the tour;
[0039] Total square footage of all parcels included in the tour
and/or square footage of one or more individual parcels included in
the tour;
[0040] Number of tours the user has previously completed;
[0041] Number of homes on the tour that the user has previously
toured;
[0042] Relative duration of the user's previous tours;
[0043] Price of one or more parcels included in the tour;
[0044] Characteristics, such as, for example, geographic location
and sale close rate, of the agent leading the tour;
[0045] A calculation of travel time between or among the parcels
included in the tour; and
[0046] Whether the tour occurs on a weekday or weekend and/or by
day of the week on which the tour occurs.
[0047] In an embodiment, and based on a predetermined threshold
distance between or among the parcels included in the tour, the
itinerary may be generated to include two different appointment
times, each perhaps on separate days, as a solution to logistical
difficulties associated with traveling such distances.
[0048] At a block 340, the itinerary is provided to the user. For
example, the server 230 and/or the computer system 260 provides the
tour itinerary to the user. The tour itinerary may be provided to
the user via one or more of a website, short message service (SMS)
message, e-mail or other appropriate notification method requested
by the user. If the itinerary requires time to develop, such as may
be the case when the availability of one or more parcels requested
for the tour must be confirmed, the user may, in real-time or
otherwise, receive or be given access to updates on the state of
the itinerary. An embodiment may allow listing agents to log in to
the website and indicate for storage in database 240 specific time
when does during which a particular parcel will be made available
for touring. Subsequently, these stored time windows may be
consulted in the process of generating the itinerary.
[0049] In an embodiment, more than one itinerary may be generated.
As such, the itinerary provided to the user may, in effect, be
merely a suggested itinerary. For example, if the user is
dissatisfied with one or more of the appointment time/duration or
agent selection, the user may, using a graphical user interface
associated with the website, select from one or more other
available appointment times/durations and/or agents.
[0050] FIG. 4 illustrates a process 400 according to an embodiment
of the invention. The process 400 is illustrated as a set of
operations shown as discrete blocks. One or more steps of the
process 400 may be implemented in any suitable hardware, software,
including instructions embodied within components, firmware, or
combination thereof. The order in which the operations associated
with the process 400 are described is not to be necessarily
construed as a limitation.
[0051] At a block 410, a user is provided access, via an electronic
network, to a user interface enabling the user to view listings of
parcels of real property stored on a memory device and provide a
selection of a set of the stored listings. For example, upon
navigating to the website, the user may, in a conventional manner,
ensure personal credentials to login to an account maintained by,
for example, the administrators of the website. Subsequently, the
user may sort through and view MLS listings stored in database 240.
In a conventional manner, the user may select one or more of the
MLS listings of homes, including listings stored in database 240 of
homes that are not offered for sale at the time the user navigates
to the website, that the user is interested in purchasing for
inclusion in a "wish list" or "favorites" set associated with the
user's account.
[0052] In an embodiment, the user may select the stored listings by
selecting a city, a neighborhood within a city, or other subregion
of the city from one or more menus presented in the user interface.
Consequently, all listed parcels located in the selected city or
neighborhood/subregion would, in effect, be included in the
selected set of stored listings.
[0053] At a block 420, the selected set is received by the server
230, for example.
[0054] At a block 430, the user is provided access, via the
electronic network, to a user interface enabling the user to (a)
view a set of dates and at least one indication of a quantity of
open houses hosted on each date of the set of dates at parcels
associated with the selected set of listings, (b) provide a
selection of a date on which the user desires to attend (i.e.,
tour) multiple open houses hosted on the selected date, and (c)
provide a selection of a time window on the selected date during
which the user desires to attend the multiple open houses. For
example, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the user may access a webpage
500 that includes a calendar 510 including day indicators 515 that
are selectable with a conventional pointer device by the user. In
the illustrated embodiment, each day shown in the calendar 510
includes an indicator 520 of the number of open houses occurring on
that day and involving parcels included in the selected set of
listings, as well as an indicator 530 of a time window within which
such open houses occur. The number of day indicators 515 included
in the calendar 510 may be adjustable by the user.
[0055] In an embodiment, the day indicators 515 may be populated
with open house information, as illustrated in FIG. 5, supplied by
one or more listing agents. This may be achieved by enabling the
listing agents to login to the website and employee a user
interface to input an indication of a date and time window in which
an open house will be hosted.
[0056] As illustrated in FIG. 6, upon selecting an indicator 515 of
the day on which the user desires to conduct an open house tour,
the user may access a webpage 600 that includes a drop-down menu
610 that allows the user to indicate the desired time window within
which to conduct the tour. The time window selected by the user may
be composed of contiguous or non-contiguous blocks of time.
[0057] In an embodiment, and as illustrated in FIG. 7, the user, by
accessing a webpage 700, may indicate an address from which the
user desires to commence the tour of open houses. Additionally, the
user may be able to indicate their intended mode of transit (e.g.,
walking, by car, etc.). This selection of a starting address and
mode of transit will be used as a basis for the generation of an
open house tour itinerary as discussed in greater detail below.
[0058] At a block 440 the selected date and time window are
received by the server 230, for example.
[0059] At a block 450, and in response to receiving the selected
date and time window, an itinerary including an indication of a
suggested sequence of attendance of open houses of a set of the
multiple open houses and suggested time periods within the time
window on the selected date during which each open house of the set
of the multiple open houses may be attended is generated. For
example, one or more of the server 230 in computer system 260 may
generate the itinerary based on a calculation of travel time
between or among the parcels of the selected set hosting open
houses and may include an additional predetermined amount of time
as a "buffer." The algorithm employed to generate the itinerary may
optimize based on distance or, alternatively, may optimize based on
waypoints. Because of the finite duration of the time window
selected by the user, the finite amount of time during which any
given open house is hosted, and distances between the parcels at
which open houses are being hosted on the selected day, all open
houses occurring within the selected time window on the selected
day may not be included in the itinerary. In an embodiment, the
duration of the suggested time periods may be adjustable by the
user.
[0060] In an embodiment in which the computer system 260 generates
the itinerary, the computer system may perform the following
algorithmic steps. First, the computer system 260 determines the
day and time window selected by the user. Next, the database 240 is
consulted to identify all open houses scheduled to occur during at
least a portion of the selected time window. Next, a determination
of "outlier" open houses is made. An open house qualifies as an
outlier if its ending time is at least 45 minutes (i.e., the
default allotment setting for time spent at an open house plus
travel time to the open house) later than the latest previous open
house ending time and still within the selected time window. As
such, it is an open house that is guaranteed to be scheduled
because there are no conflicts within its time slot. Next, the
outlier open houses are designated as lowest priority for purposes
of their inclusion in the itinerary. Next, the open houses
occurring during the selected time window are scheduled according
to the following factors in descending order qualifying importance:
(a) earliest start time of the open house, (b) shortest duration of
the open house, and (c) priority (i.e., importance) of the open
house as may be indicated by the user. Next, review the open houses
that now populate the itinerary and substitute higher-priority open
houses for lower-priority open houses. It should be noted that the
above-described algorithmic steps would likewise be performed in
embodiments in which the server 230 alone or a combination of the
server and computer system 260 generates the itinerary.
[0061] At a block 460, the itinerary is provided to the user. For
example, the server 230 and/or the computer system 260 provides the
tour itinerary to the user. The tour itinerary may be provided to
the user via one or more of a webpage 800, such as is illustrated
in FIG. 8, SMS message, e-mail or other appropriate notification
method requested by the user. As illustrated in the example of the
webpage 800 of FIG. 8, the itinerary may include a sequential list
810 of the open house times and locations, as well as a map 820
illustrating the proposed route to be taken during the open house
tour.
[0062] As illustrated in FIG. 9, after receiving the itinerary, the
user may access a webpage 900 that can enable the user to
prioritize or reprioritize the open houses that are included in the
itinerary. Such prioritization may be achieved, for example, by
"dragging and dropping" icons representing one or more open houses.
After prioritizing one or more open houses, the user may request
that the itinerary be re-generated. In an embodiment, before any
itinerary is generated, the user may designate a set of the open
houses as "favorites," in which case such favorite set will
automatically be highly prioritized. Alternatively, the user may,
by using the website, indicate a preference that the algorithm used
to generate the itinerary place a greater emphasis on maximizing
the number of open houses attended rather than attempting to ensure
that specific ones of the open houses are attended. Additionally,
the algorithm may more highly prioritize open houses that are
listed by or otherwise associated with the administrator of the
website.
[0063] An embodiment may include a user interface (not shown)
accessible to the user after the open house tour has been conducted
and enabling the user to indicate which homes they actually saw on
the tour, and enter notes on them. Tracking the homes seen by the
user enables the administrator of the website to ignore those homes
when the user plans the next tour (although the user may override
this setting).
[0064] While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been
illustrated and described, as noted above, many changes can be made
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Accordingly, the invention is not limited except as by the appended
claims.
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