Geo-tagged based listing service and mapping engine

• US 20070112729A1
• Filed: 11/04/2005
• Published: 05/17/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/04/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Atherton, Mark, Wiseman, Garry
• Granted Patent: US 7,840,558 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9537 Spatial or temporal dependent retrieval, e.g. spatiotemporal queries
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0613 Third-party assisted
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0623 Item investigation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0625 Directed, with specific intent or strategy
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/08 Auctions

Abstract

A unique system and method that facilitates searching for items offered for sale or otherwise in an online classifieds environment. The system and method involve allowing a user to search for such items according to the item'"'"'s location or geo-tag information. The geo-tag information for each item can be approximate such as the city, state, or zip code or more specific such as the street address where the item is located. The amount of geo-tag information disclosed to any other user can depend on the type of item being offered. One or more geo-tagged items can be returned in response to a query. The items can be returned in a list or a map format wherein the items can be pinpointed according to their locations. The map of the area around and near the item'"'"'s location can provide useful information to the user to facilitate determining which item(s) to pursue.

Claims

1. A location-based search system that facilitates operation and performance of an online classifieds service comprising:

a receiving component that receives a query related to a search for one or more items listed through the classifieds service; and

a query component that processes the query across a set of geo-tagged items and outputs at least a subset of the items as a function of item location.

2. The system of claim 1, the one or more items comprise any good, service, personal ad, event, or employment.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein each geo-tagged item comprises a geo-tag corresponding to the location of the item, the geo-tag comprising a latitude and longitude coordinate, Cartesian X, Y, Z coordinates, projections into 2D or 3D space, or other reference point information.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the item location comprises at least one of a city, state, street address, or zip code.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein each item in the subset of items comprises the item location or geo-tag, a description of the item, and information to contact the item owner or seller.

6. The system of claim 1 further comprises a mapping engine that dynamically generates a virtual map of the subset of items outputted in response to the query, such that the location of each item is pinpointed to allow a user to gauge distance, direction and areas surrounding or near the item.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the mapping engine automatically updates the virtual map based on a current state of the subset of items.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein the mapping engine generates at least one of directions and travel routes for at least one of the following:

between at least two of the items and between the items and the requesting user'"'"'s location.

9. The system of claim 6, wherein the mapping engine generates suggested travel routes or directions to the user for multiple items selected from a plurality of queries.

10. The system of claim 6, wherein the virtual map is interactive with and navigable by the user and provides varying levels of detail and information for any given area selected for mapping.

11. The system of claim 1 further comprises an AI component that can suggest one or more items from the subset of items for a user to view, select, or discard based in part on the user'"'"'s historical data, activity, and preferences.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the subset of items are outputted in a list format.

13. A computer-implemented method that facilitates searching for items on an online classifieds site comprising:

receiving a query related to a search for a listed item;

processing the query across a set of geo-tagged items; and

outputting at least a subset of the items in response to the query as a function of item location.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprises dynamically generating a virtual map of the subset of items.

15. The method of claim 13 further comprises generating at least one of directions or routes to travel between locations that correspond to the subset of items.

16. The method of claim 13 further comprises revealing at least a portion of the item'"'"'s location information to a user viewing the item based at least in part on the type of item being viewed to mitigate security and safety concerns.

17. The method of claim 13 further comprises:

employing an AI component that learns user location preferences; and

organizing the subset of items according to such location preferences.

18. The method of claim 13 further comprises:

storing the query and the corresponding subset of items outputted in response to the query; and

updating the subset of items to reflect a current state of the items when the query is retrieved from storage.

19. A user interface that facilitates searching and viewing items listed on an online classifieds site comprising:

a search tool that allows a user to search for items posted for sale or otherwise according to the items'"'"' location;

a map view command button that dynamically creates a virtual and interactive map of one or more items in response to a query such that the map allows the user to indirectly obtain more information about the item in terms of its geographic position and the areas surrounding it; and

a plurality of map view and zoom controls that allow the user to adjust a scope and level of detail of the map.

20. The user-interface of claim 19 further comprises one or more navigational components that facilitate viewing detailed listing information for the item on any one of a map or list format, obtaining directions between a plurality of items and the user'"'"'s location, and identifying other structures, roadways, high traffic areas, high accident areas, and speed traps on the map in connection with the one or items returned from the query.