Methods and Systems of Online Mapping and Planning Driving Tours

• US 20080168369A1
• Filed: 12/27/2007
• Published: 07/10/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/27/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MLSListings, Inc.
• Original Assignee: RE Infolink
• Inventors: Horng, Evelyn, Tadman, Frank
• Granted Patent: US 8,166,410 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/764
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/343 Calculating itineraries, i.e. routes leading from a starting point to a series of categorical destinations using a global route restraint, round trips, touristic trips travelling salesman problem G06Q10/04; optimisation of routes G06Q10/047
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3682 output of POI information on a road map G01C21/3614, G01C21/3685 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/14 Travel agencies

Abstract

This invention is directed to methods and systems of online mapping and planning driving tours. The invention may include a user interface capable of displaying a map with one or more destinations and/or displaying a travel route to visit each destination. The travel route may vary based on customizable options. The invention may also provide a tour summary that may show the driving directions for the travel route.

Claims

1. A graphical user interface comprising:

a destination list with at least two real property listing destinations; and

a geographic map displaying a destination indicator corresponding to each real property listing destination on the destination list.

2. The graphical user interface of claim 1 further comprising a property description for each real property listing destination.

3. The graphical user interface of claim 1 wherein the destination indicator is a flag.

4. The graphical user interface of claim 1 wherein the destination indicator is selected from at least one of the following:

a number, a color, an address, or a price.

5. A method of mapping destinations comprising:

conducting a destination search;

displaying at least two search results;

selecting at least two destinations from the search results to map;

displaying a destination list with at least two destinations; and

displaying a geographic map with a destination indicator corresponding to each destination on the destination list.

6. The method according to claim 5 wherein the destination in the destination list is selected by a user conducting the destination search.

7. The method according to claim 5 further comprising displaying a brief description of the destination when a mouse pointer is over the destination indicator.

8. The method according to claim 5 further comprising displaying a description for each destination.

9. A graphical user interface comprising:

a destination list with at least two destinations;

a geographic map displaying;

a destination indicator corresponding to each destination on the destination list; and

a travel route indicating a selected start point and visiting each destination; and

a tour summary displaying driving directions for the travel route.

10. The user interface of claim 9 wherein the destination indicator may display destination detail when a user rolls a mouse over the destination indicator.

11. The user interface of claim 9 wherein the geographic map allows a user to zoom and pan.

12. The user interface of claim 9 wherein the travel route is a route with minimal estimated driving time.

13. The user interface of claim 9 wherein the travel route is a route with minimal estimated driving distance.

14. The user interface of claim 9 wherein the travel route is a customizable route in the order of property listings.

15. The user interface of claim 9 further wherein the travel route further comprises a selected return point, and wherein the selected starting point and the selected return point of the travel route are customizable by a user.

16. The user interface of claim 9 wherein the destination is a real estate property.

17. The user interface of claim 15 wherein the selected starting point of the travel route is determined by selecting a destination on the destination list to be the starting point.

18. The user interface of claim 15 wherein the selected starting point of the travel route is determined by selecting an address stored for a given user from a drop-down list.

19. A method of mapping destinations comprising:

conducting a destination search;

displaying at least two search results;

selecting at least two destinations from the search results to map;

displaying a destination list with at least two destinations; and

displaying a geographic map with;

a destination indicator corresponding to each destination on the destination list;

a travel route indicating a selected start point and visiting each destination; and

a tour summary displaying driving directions for the travel route.

20. A method of creating a driving tour comprising:

having at least two destinations;

displaying each destination in a destination list;

displaying a destination indicator on a geographic map corresponding to each destination on the destination list;

calculating a travel route that visits each of the destinations;

displaying the travel route in the geographical map; and

displaying a tour summary showing the driving directions for the travel route.