System and method for distributing information

• US 20030204406A1
• Filed: 04/26/2002
• Published: 10/30/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/26/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Hammock, Patricia C., Reardon, George R.
• Granted Patent: US 7,328,163 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/02 Banking, e.g. interest calculation or account maintenance credit or loans G06Q40/03
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/03 Credit; Loans; Processing thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/16 Real estate
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/167 Closing

Abstract

A system for marketing real estate includes a property data device and a personal data device. The property data device is to be located in the vicinity of a real estate property, and the personal data device is to be provided to a user. The property data device is operable to transmit the property information data, and the personal data device operable to receive and store the property information data transmitted by the property data device.

Claims

1. A system for marketing real estate, comprising:

a property data device located in the vicinity of a real estate property, the property data device comprising a first storage device for storing property information data related to the real estate property, and a first communication subsystem having a transmitter and receiver, the property data device operable to receive identification data, generate a property information data set based on the identification data and the property information data, and transmit the property information data set; and

a personal data device to be provided to a user, comprising a second storage device for storing the identification data, and a second communication subsystem having a transmitter and receiver, the personal data device operable to transmit the identification data, receive the property information data set transmitted by the property data device, and store the property information data set in the second storage device.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the identification data includes user information data related to the user, and the property data device is further operable to store the identification data in the first storage device.

3. The system of claim 2, further comprising a computer comprising:

a third storage device for storing an information database, the information database storing the identification data received by the property data device and the property information data; and

a first communication device operable to transmit and receive data;

wherein the computer is operable to generate reports from the identification data and the property information data stored in the information database.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein:

the property data device is further operable to transmit the identification data received from the personal data device to the computer; and

the computer is further operable to receive and store in the information database the identification data transmitted from the property data device.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the personal data device further comprises an input/output device, and the personal data device is further operable to transmit appointment request data relating to a requested appointment, receive appointment reply data related to the requested appointment, and provide indicia of an acceptance or rejection of the requested appointment based on the appointment reply data.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the first storage device of the property data device is further for storing appointment availability data, and is further operable to receive the appointment request data transmitted from the personal data device, compare the appointment request data to the appointment availability data, generate the appointment reply data based on the comparison, and transmit the appointment reply data to the personal data device.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein:

the property data device is further operable to receive the appointment request data transmitted from the personal data device, transmit the appointment request data to the computer, receive from the computer the appointment reply data, and transmit the appointment reply data to the personal data device; and

the computer is further operable to receive the appointment request data transmitted by the property data device, receive indicia of acceptance or rejection of the requested appointment, generate the appointment reply data based on the received indicia, and transmit the appointment reply data to the property data device.

8. The system of claim 3, further comprising:

a second communication device located in the vicinity of the real estate property, the second communication device operable to transmit data to and receive data from the computer and transmit data to and receive data from the property data device;

wherein the property data device is further operable to transmit the identification data received from the personal data device to the second communication device; and

the computer is further operable to receive and store in the information database the identification data received by the second communication device.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the first communication device of the computer and the second communication device are coupled to a telephone network.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the first communication device of the computer and the second communication device comprise a wireless LAN.

11. The system of claim 3, wherein:

the third storage device of the computer is further for storing updated property information data, and the computer is further operable to transmit the updated property information data to the property data device; and

the property data device is further operable to store in the first storage device the updated property information data.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the personal data device further comprises an input/output device, and the personal data device is further operable to transmit appointment request data relating to a requested appointment, receive appointment reply data related to the requested appointment, and provide indicia of an acceptance or rejection of the requested appointment based on the appointment reply data.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the first storage device of the property data device is further for storing appointment availability data, and the property data device is further operable to receive the appointment request data transmitted from the personal data device, compare the appointment request data to the appointment availability data, generate the appointment reply data based on the comparison, and transmit the appointment reply data to the personal data device.

14. The system of claim 12, further comprising a wireless communication device, the wireless communication device operable to receive the appointment request data transmitted from the personal data device, receive indicia of acceptance or rejection of the requested appointment, generate the appointment reply data based on the received indicia, and transmit the appointment reply data to the personal data device.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the wireless communication device is a cellular telephone.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the wireless communication device is a personal digital assistant.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the second storage device of the personal data device is further for storing updated property information data, and the personal data device is further operable to transmit the updated property information data with the identification data; and

the property data device is further operable to receive and store in the first storage device the updated property information data based on the identification data.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein the transmitter and receiver of the first and second communication subsystems comprise infrared transceivers.

19. The system of claim 1, wherein the transmitter and receiver of the first and second communication subsystems comprise cellular transceivers.

20. The system of claim 1, wherein the transmitter and receiver of the first and second communication subsystems comprise wireless LAN transceivers.

21. The system of claim 1, wherein the personal data device further comprises an input/output device, and the personal data device is further operable to transmit purchase request data relating to an offer to purchase the property.

22. The system of claim 1, wherein the personal data device further comprises a first input/output device including a display, and the personal data device is further operable to display the property information data set.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the input/output device further includes a printer, and the personal data device is further operable to print the property information data set.

24. The system of claim 22, wherein:

the personal data device further comprises a first communication port, and the personal data device is further operable to transmit the property information data set stored in the second storage device over the first communication port; and

a personal computer comprising a third storage device for storing data and a second communication port, the personal computer operable to receive the property information data set from the personal data device by connecting the second communication port to the first communication port, and further operable to store in the third storage device the property information data set.

25. The system of claim 1, wherein the identification data classifies the user as an agent or as a buyer, and wherein the property data device generates the property information data set by providing an agent information data set when the identification data classifies the user as the agent, and by providing a buyer information data set when the identification data classifies the user as the buyer.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein the buyer information data set is a subset of the agent information data set.

27. The system of claim 4, wherein the information database stores an approved user list, and wherein the computer is further operable to receive the identification data transmitted from the property data device, determine whether the user is listed in the approved user list, and instruct the property data device to transmit the property information data set only if the user is listed in the approved user list.

28. The system of claim 4, wherein the personal data device further comprises an input/output device operable to receive user feedback, and wherein the personal data device is operable to transmit the user feedback received to the computer.

29. A system for marketing real estate, comprising:

a first data device located in the vicinity of a real estate property, the first data device comprising a first storage device for storing property information data related to the real estate property, and a first communication subsystem having a transmitter, the first data device operable to transmit a property information data set; and

a second data device to be provided to a user, the second data device comprising a second storage device for storing data, and a second communication subsystem having a receiver, the second data device operable to receive the property information data set transmitted by the first data device, and store the property information data set in the second storage device.

30. The system of claim 29, wherein:

the second communication subsystem of the second data device further comprises a transmitter, and the second data device is further operable to transmit request data; and

the first communication subsystem of the first data device includes a receiver, and the first data device is further operable to receive the request data transmitted from the second data device and transmit the property information data set in response.

31. The system of claim 30, wherein the request data includes identification data, and the first data device is further operable to receive and store in the first storage device the identification data transmitted by the second data device.

32. The system of claim 31, wherein the property information data set is a subset of the property information data.

33. The system of claim 30, wherein the second data device further comprises an input/output device including a display, and the second data device is further operable to display the property information data set.

34. The system of claim 30, wherein the second data device further comprises an input/output device including a printer, and the second data device is further operable to print the property information data set.

35. The system of claim 34, wherein the property information data set is a subset of the property information data.

36. The system of claim 31, further comprising a computer, the computer comprising:

a third storage device for storing an information database, the information database storing the identification data received by the first data device and the property information data;

a first communication device operable to transmit and receive data; and

wherein the computer is operable to generate reports from the identification data and the property information data stored in the information database.

37. The system of claim 36, wherein:

the first data device is further operable to transmit the identification data received from the second data device to the computer; and

the computer is further operable to receive and store in the information database the identification data transmitted from the first data device.

38. The system of claim 37, wherein the second data device further comprises an input/output device, and the second data device is further operable to transmit appointment request data relating to a requested appointment, receive appointment reply data related to the requested appointment, and provide indicia of an acceptance or rejection of the requested appointment based on the appointment reply data.

39. The system of claim 38, wherein the first storage device of the first data device is further for storing appointment availability data, and is further operable to receive the appointment request data transmitted from the second data device, compare the appointment request data to the appointment availability data, generate the appointment reply data based on the comparison, and transmit the appointment reply data to the second data device.

40. The system of claim 38, wherein:

the first data device is further operable to receive the appointment request data transmitted from the second data device, transmit the appointment request data to the computer, receive from the computer the appointment reply data, and transmit the appointment reply data to the second data device; and

the computer is further operable to receive the appointment request data, receive indicia of acceptance or rejection of the requested appointment, generate the appointment reply data based on the received indicia, and transmit the appointment reply data to the first data device.

41. The system of claim 30, wherein the second data device further comprises an input/output device, and the second data device is further operable to transmit appointment request data relating to a requested appointment, receive appointment reply data related to the requested appointment, and provide indicia of an acceptance or rejection of the requested appointment based on the appointment reply data.

42. The system of claim 41, wherein the first storage device of the first data device is further for storing appointment availability data, and the first data device is further operable to receive the appointment request data transmitted from the second data device, compare the appointment request data to the appointment availability data, generate the appointment reply data based on the comparison, and transmit the appointment reply data to the second data device.

43. The system of claim 41, further comprising a wireless communication device, the wireless communication device operable to receive the appointment request data transmitted from the second data device, receive indicia of acceptance or rejection of the requested appointment, generate the appointment reply data based on the received indicia, and transmit the appointment reply data to the second data device.

44. A system for marketing real estate, comprising:

means for exchanging property data, the means for exchanging property data located on a real estate property and adapted to store property information data related to the real estate property, receive identification data, generate a property information data set based on the identification data and the property information data, and transmit the property information data set; and

means for exchanging user data, the means for exchanging user data adapted to store the identification data, transmit the identification data, receive the property information data set transmitted by the means for exchanging property data and store the property information data set.

45. The system of claim 44, wherein the identification data includes user information related to a user, and the means for exchanging property data is further adapted to store the identification data transmitted by the means for exchanging user data.

46. The system of claim 45, further comprising:

reporting means for;

storing the identification data received by the means for exchanging property data and the property data; and

generating reports from the stored identification data and the property information data.

47. The system of claim 46, wherein the means for exchanging user data is further adapted to transmit appointment request data relating to a requested appointment, receive appointment reply data related to the requested appointment, and provide indicia of an acceptance or rejection of the requested appointment based on the appointment reply data.

48. The system of claim 47, wherein the means for exchanging property data is further adapted to store appointment availability data, receive the appointment request data transmitted from the means for exchanging user data, compare the appointment request data to the appointment availability data, generate the appointment reply data based on the comparison, and transmit the appointment reply data to the means for exchanging user data.

49. The system of claim 47, further comprising means for replying to the requested appointment, the means for replying to the requested appointment adapted to receive the appointment request data transmitted by the means for exchanging user data, receive indicia of acceptance or rejection of the requested appointment, generate the appointment reply data based on the received indicia, and transmit to the means for exchanging user data the appointment reply data.

50. The system of claim 45, further comprising means for accessing a network, the means for accessing a network located in the vicinity of the real estate property and adapted to communicate with a network and communicate with the means for exchanging property data;

and wherein the means for exchanging property data is further adapted to communicate with the means for accessing a network to transmit and receive data over the network.

51. The system of claim 50, further comprising:

reporting means for;

storing the identification data received by the means for exchanging property data and the property data; and

generating reports from the stored identification data and the property information data;

wherein the reporting means is adapted to communicate over the network and the means for exchanging property data is further adapted to transmit the identification data over the network to the reporting means.

52. The system of claim 44, wherein the identification data classifies the user as an agent or as a buyer, and wherein the means for exchanging property data generates the property information data set by providing an agent information data set when the identification data classifies the user as the agent, and by providing a buyer information data set when the identification data classifies the user as the buyer.

53. The system of claim 52, wherein the buyer information data set is a subset of the agent information data set.

54. A method of marketing a real estate property using a system that comprises a property data device and a personal data device, the method comprising the steps of:

locating the property data device in the vicinity of the real estate property;

storing property information data related to the real estate property in the property data device; and

providing the personal data device to a user;

wherein the property data device is operable to transmit a property information data set, and the personal data device is operable to receive and store the property information data set transmitted by the property data device.

55. The method of claim 54, further comprising the step of storing identification data in the personal data device, and wherein the personal data device is operable to transmit the identification data, and the property data device is further operable to generate the property information data set based on the identification data.

56. The method of claim 55, wherein the step of storing identification data in the personal data device comprises the steps of:

determining whether the user is an agent or a buyer;

then

if the user is an agent, storing agent identifier data in the personal data device, or if the user is a buyer, storing buyer identifier data in the personal data device.

57. The method of claim 55, wherein the step of providing a personal data device to a user comprises the steps of:

storing agent identifier data in a first personal data device;

storing buyer identifier data in a second personal data device;

determining whether the user is an agent or a buyer;

then

if the user is an agent, providing the user the first personal data device, or if the user is a buyer, providing the user the second personal data device;

wherein the first and second personal data devices are operable to transmit the agent identifier data and the buyer identifier data, respectively, and the property data device is further operable to generate the property information data set based on the agent identifier data or the buyer identifier data.

58. The method of claim 55, further comprising the steps of:

storing the property information data in an information database; and

storing the identification data transmitted from the personal data device in the information database.

59. The method of claim 58, further comprising the step of generating reports based on the property information data and identification data stored in the information database.

60. The method of claim 59, further comprising the step of providing to an owner of the real estate property report summaries of reports based on the property information data and identification data stored in the information database.

61. A method of obtaining information regarding a real estate property using a system that comprises a property data device located in the vicinity of the real estate property, the property data device storing property information related to the real estate property, and a personal data device controlled by a user, the method comprising the steps of:

transmitting a request from the personal data device to the property data device;

transmitting a property information data set from the property data device to the personal data device; and

storing in the personal data device the property information data set transmitted from the property data device.

62. The method of claim 61, further comprising the steps of:

transmitting identification data from the personal data device to the property data device; and

storing in the property data device the identification data transmitted from the personal data device.

63. The method of claim 62, further comprising the steps of:

transferring to a personal computer the property information data set transmitted from the property data device and stored in the personal data device; and

accessing from the personal computer additional property information based on the property information data set transferred to the personal computer.

64. The method of claim 61, further comprising the step of printing at the personal data device the property information data set transmitted from the property data device.

65. A system for distributing asset information related to an asset, comprising:

a first data device located in the vicinity of the asset, the first data device comprising a first storage device for storing asset information data related to the asset, and a first communication subsystem having a transmitter, the first data device operable to transmit an asset information data set; and

a second data device to be provided to a user, comprising a second storage device for storing data, and a second communication subsystem having a receiver, the second data device operable to receive the asset information data set transmitted by the first data device, and store the asset information data set in the second storage device.

66. The system of claim 65, wherein:

the second communication subsystem of the second data device further comprises a transmitter, the second data device further operable to transmit request data; and

the first communication subsystem of the first data device includes a receiver, the first data device operable to receive the request data transmitted from the second data device and transmit the asset information data set in response.

67. The system of claim 66, wherein the request data includes identification data, and the first data device is further operable to store the identification data in the first storage device.

68. The system of claim 67, further comprising an asset manager computer, comprising:

a third storage device for storing an information database, the information database storing the identification data received by the first data device and the asset information data; and

a first communication device operable to transmit and receive data;

wherein the asset manager computer is operable to generate reports from the identification data and the asset information data stored in the information database.

69. The system of claim 68, further comprising:

the second data device further comprises a first communication port, and the second data device is further operable to transmit the asset information data set stored in the first storage device to the first communication port; and

a personal computer comprising a third storage device for storing data and a second communication port, the personal computer operable to receive the asset information data set from the second data device by connecting the second communication port to the first communication port, and further operable to store in the third storage device the asset information data set received from the second data device.

70. The system of claim 68, wherein the second data device is operable to transmit a purchase signal indicating a user'"'"'s intent to purchase an asset.