Internet-based, dual-paned virtual tour presentation system with orientational capabilities and versatile tabbed menu-driven area for multi-media content delivery

• US 20090031246A1
• Filed: 02/26/2007
• Published: 01/29/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mark Anthony Ogle Cowtan, Nelly Illary Cedano
• Original Assignee: Mark Anthony Ogle Cowtan, Nelly Illary Cedano
• Inventors: Cedano, Nelly Illary, Cowtan, Mark Anthony Ogle
• Granted Patent: US 7,823,068 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/786
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/00 Commerce
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/16 Real estate

Abstract

A graphical user interface for a comprehensive user-friendly Internet-based multi-media dual-paned virtual tour presentation system having orientational capabilities and having an image navigation section; an image display section; and a hierarchical information organization and navigation section, where the image navigation section, the image display section and the hierarchical information organization and navigation section are provided all visible at the same time, within the visible area of one browser window.

Claims

1. A graphical user interface for a comprehensive user-friendly Internet-based multi-media dual-paned virtual tour presentation system having orientational capabilities, the graphical user interface comprising:

an image navigation section;

an image display section; and

a hierarchical information organization and navigation section, and

wherein the image navigation section, the image display section and the hierarchical information organization and navigation section are provided all visible at the same time, within a visible area of one browser window.

2. The graphical user interface of claim 1, wherein the image display section comprises a selected one of photographic and panoramic image and streaming video display section.

3. The graphical user interface of claim 2, wherein the image display section displays high definition content.

4. The graphical user interface of claim 2, wherein the image display section comprises a zoom in button, a zoom out button and a multi-directional pan button and an image reset button.

5. The graphical user interface of claim 1, wherein the hierarchical information organization and navigation section comprises a plurality of tabs, wherein each of the plurality of tabs comprises at least one sub tabs.

6. The graphical user interface of claim 1, wherein the hierarchical information organization and navigation section comprises a plan-based navigation system.

7. The graphical user interface of claim 6, wherein the plan-based navigation system comprises a plurality of a selected one of photograph, panorama and video point of origin and orientation icons.

8. The graphical user interface of claim 7, wherein a corresponding image is displayed in the image display section when one of the plurality of photograph panorama and video point of origin and orientation icons is selected.

9. The graphical user interface of claim 1, wherein the image navigation section comprises a plurality of thumbnails.

10. The graphical user interface of claim 9, wherein the image navigation section comprises a left select button, a slide bar and a right select button.

11. The graphical user interface of claim 1, wherein within the hierarchical information organization and navigation section any one of a plurality of categories can be selected with only one click.

12. The graphical user interface of claim 1, wherein the graphical user interface simultaneously displays one type of content in the image display section and another type of content in the hierarchical information organization and navigation section.

13. The graphical user interface of claim 1, wherein the graphical user interface simultaneously displays a selected one of high definition still images, partial panoramic images, full 360 degree panoramic images and streaming video content in the image display section in combination with a selected one of a map of the local area, a map showing local schools, a first floor plan, a 3D landscape plan, descriptive text, basic data, a list of features, a map of similar priced homes, a list of similar priced homes, a video flyover of the property, an audio tour of the property, an agent profile, photograph, panoramic image, tabulated data, bulleted data, free-form text, audio, and a video greeting by the agent in the hierarchical information organization and navigation section.

14. The graphical user interface of claim 1, wherein the hierarchical information organization and navigation section optionally serves as a navigational system for the image display section.

15. The graphical user interface of claim 1, wherein the image navigation section, the image display section and the hierarchical information organization and navigation section display information all visible at the same time, within a visible area of one browser window.

at one time without the need for scrolling or the generation of new windows, and

wherein information from the image navigation section, the image display section and the hierarchical information organization and navigation section display information is accessed with one click.

16. The graphical user interface of claim 1, wherein the image display section and the hierarchical information organization and navigation section together comprise the dual paned virtual tour presentation system.

17. The graphical user interface of claim 1, wherein the virtual tour presentation system comprises information relating to a selected one of real estate, boats and cars.

18. The graphical user interface of claim 1, wherein the user interface integrates with internet mapping services through an application programming interface.

19. A method of providing a comprehensive user-friendly Internet-based multi-media dual paned virtual tour presentation system having orientational capabilities, the method comprising:

displaying images in a graphical user interface;

navigating a first set of images with an image navigation section;

displaying image data with an image display section;

organizing and navigating a second set of information with a hierarchical information organization and navigation section; and

providing the image navigation section, the image display section and the hierarchical information organization and navigation section all visible at the same time, within a visible area of one browser window.

20. The method of claim 19 comprising:

selecting which tabs and sub tabs are shown by default.

21. A graphical user interface for a comprehensive user-friendly Internet-based multi-media dual paned virtual tour presentation system having orientational capabilities, the graphical user interface comprising:

an image navigation section;

an image display section; and

a hierarchical information organization and navigation section,

wherein the image navigation section, the image display section and the hierarchical information organization and navigation section are provided on a single computer display screen all visible at the same time, within a visible area of one browser window;

wherein the image display section comprises a selected one of photographic, panoramic image and streaming video display section;

wherein the photographic or panoramic image or streaming video display section displays high definition content;

wherein the image display section comprises a zoom in button, a zoom out button and a multi-directional pan button and an image reset button;

wherein the hierarchical information organization and navigation section comprises a plurality of tabs, wherein each of the plurality of tabs comprises one or more sub tabs;

wherein the hierarchical information organization and navigation section comprises a plan-based navigation system;

wherein the plan-based navigation system comprises a plurality of photograph, panorama or video point of origin and orientation icons;

wherein a corresponding image is displayed in the image display section when one of the plurality of photograph, panorama or video point of origin and orientation icons is selected,

wherein the image navigation section comprises a plurality of thumbnails,

wherein the image navigation section comprises a left select button, a slide bar and a right select button,

wherein any one of an image or video file, property data, an interactive floor plan, a map and agent information is accessed with one click,

wherein the graphical user interface simultaneously displays one type of content in the image display section and another type of content in the hierarchical information organization and navigation section,

wherein the hierarchical information organization and navigation section optionally serves as a navigational system for the image display section,

wherein the image navigation section, the image display section and the hierarchical information organization and navigation section display information all visible at the same time, within a visible area of one browser window at one time without the need for scrolling or the generation of new windows,

wherein information from the image navigation section, the image display section and the hierarchical information organization and navigation section display information is accessed with a selected on of one click and one click after dragging a slider;

wherein the image display section and the hierarchical information organization and navigation section together comprise the dual paned virtual tour presentation system, and

wherein the virtual tour presentation system comprises information relating to a selected one of real estate, boats and cars.

22. A graphical user interface for a comprehensive user-friendly Internet-based multi-media dual-paned virtual tour presentation system having orientational capabilities, the graphical user interface comprising:

an image navigation section;

an image display section; and

a hierarchical information organization and navigation section,

wherein the image navigation section, the image display section and the hierarchical information organization and navigation section are provided all visible at the same time, within a visible area of one browser window; and

a skin with a unique color scheme that can be defined for each agent, this is defined by the use of hexadecimal color codes that are specified in an agent profile, the color scheme is intended to enable color to the skin with the correct colors for their agency brand, the skin is available in multiple sizes to fit in at least 1024×

768 higher resolution screens and another for 800×

600 resolution screen that is detected automatically at startup and a specific size forced depending on the way in which an instance of the tour is invoked.