SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING OPTIMIZED MAPPING AND TRAVEL

• US 20130131977A1
• Filed: 04/24/2012
• Published: 05/23/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 11/18/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Charles L. Dickson, Myles G. Baxter
• Original Assignee: Charles L. Dickson, Myles G. Baxter
• Inventors: Dickson, Charles L., Baxter, Myles G.
• Application Number:
  US13/455,061
• Publication Number:
  US 20130131977A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/428
• 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 21/3676 Overview of the route on the road map
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/16 Real estate

Abstract

A system and method for optimized mapping and travel to multiple destinations and a system and method for providing optimized mapping, locating, and viewing of real properties for sale. The system and method for mapping, locating, and viewing real properties for sale may include the ability to track service providers so that property information provided by certain agents/brokers can be electronically affirmed and acknowledged by buyers who utilize the system and method.

Claims

1. A system for providing optimized mapping, locating and viewing of properties comprising:

a host server;

a GPS enabled device having a user interface for accessing the host server and inputting one or more property identifiers relating to separate properties;

one or more external databases in communication with the host server via a network; and

a processor for determining the user'"'"'s location from the user'"'"'s GPS enabled device, determining the geographical location of the properties from the property identifiers, mapping a most direct route to each of the properties starting from the user'"'"'s location, and transmitting at least one of a map of the route and written directions for the route to a viewing screen of the user'"'"'s GPS enabled device.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the processor also transmits a plurality of selection options on the user interface of the user'"'"'s GPS enabled device which correspond to the arrival of the user at each of the separate properties and the completion of the user'"'"'s viewing of each of the separate properties to enable the user to systematically complete the route.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the property identifiers each comprise at least one of an MLS number or an APN number associated with a property that is listed for sale.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the processor also transmits at least one selection option on the user interface of the user'"'"'s GPS enabled device enabling the user to enter and save user notes relating to any one of the separate properties being viewed.

5. The system of claim 4 further comprising an internal database for storing at least one of direct route maps, properties mapped, properties viewed, data relating to the properties mapped and/or viewed, and user notes relating to the separate properties.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the processor also transmits at least one of property listing information, pictures, and video relating to each of the separate properties to the user'"'"'s GPS enabled device.

7. A method for providing optimized mapping, locating, and viewing of properties comprising the steps of:

determining a location of a user through a GPS enabled device in communication with a network and a server/processor;

receiving one or more property identifiers entered by a user utilizing a user interface on the GPS enabled device;

determining a geographical location associated with each of the one or more property identifiers by accessing at least one database in communication with the server/processor via the network;

mapping a most direct route to each of the geographical locations associated with the one or more property identifiers using the user'"'"'s location as a starting point; and

transmitting at least one of a map and written directions for the most direct route to the user'"'"'s GPS enabled device.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising the step of receiving an indication from the user'"'"'s GPS enabled device that the user has arrived at the geographical location of a property associated with the one or more property identifiers.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of transmitting at least one of property listing information, pictures, and video relating to the property at which the user has indicated his/her arrival.

10. The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of enabling the user to enter and save user notes relating to the property at which the user has indicated his/her arrival by utilizing a user interface on the user'"'"'s GPS enabled device.

11. The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of receiving an indication from the user'"'"'s GPS enabled device that the user has completed viewing of the property at which the user previously indicated his/her arrival.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of transmitting at least one of a map and written directions to the geographical location of a next property on the most direct route.

13. The method of claim 10 further comprising the step of enabling the user to save all user notes from all properties after receiving an indication from the user'"'"'s GPS enabled device that the user has completed viewing of all properties on the most direct route.

14. A method for providing optimized mapping, locating, and viewing of properties comprising the steps of:

a. determining a location of a user through a GPS enabled device in communication with a network and a server/processor;

b. receiving one or more property identifiers entered by a user utilizing a user interface on the GPS enabled device;

c. determining a geographical location associated with each of the one or more property identifiers by accessing at least one external database in communication with the server/processor via the network;

d. mapping a most direct route to each of the geographical locations associated with the one or more property identifiers using the user'"'"'s location as a starting point;

e. transmitting at least one of a map and written directions for the most direct route to the user'"'"'s GPS enabled device;

f. receiving an indication from the user'"'"'s GPS enabled device that the user has arrived at the geographical location of a first property on the most direct route;

g. transmitting at least one of property listing information, pictures, and video relating to the property at which the user has indicated his/her arrival;

h. enabling the user to enter and save user notes relating to the property at which the user has indicated his/her arrival by utilizing a user interface on the user'"'"'s GPS enabled device;

i. receiving an indication from the user'"'"'s GPS enabled device that the user has completed viewing of the property at which the user previously indicated his/her arrival;

j. transmitting at least one of a map and written directions to the geographical location of a next property on the most direct route;

k. receiving an indication from the user'"'"'s GPS enabled device that the user has arrived at the geographical location of the next property on the most direct route;

l. repeating steps g through k until receiving an indication from the user'"'"'s GPS enabled device that the user has completed viewing of a last property on the most direct route.

15. The method of step 14 further comprising the step of storing at least one of route maps, properties mapped, properties viewed, data relating to the properties mapped and/or viewed, and user notes relating to the properties to an internal database in communication with the server/processor.

16. A system for providing optimized mapping and travel to a plurality of destinations comprising:

a host server;

a GPS enabled device having a user interface for accessing the host server and inputting two or more separate destinations;

one or more external databases in communication with the host server via a network; and

a processor for determining the user'"'"'s location from the user'"'"'s GPS enabled device, determining the exact geographical location of the two or more separate destinations, mapping a most direct route to each of the separate destinations starting from the user'"'"'s location, and transmitting at least one of a map of the route and written directions for the route to a viewing screen of the user'"'"'s GPS enabled device.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein the processor also transmits a plurality of selection options on the user interface of the user'"'"'s GPS enabled device which correspond to the arrival of the user at each of the separate destinations and the departure of the user from each of the separate destinations to enable the user to systematically and efficiently complete the route.

18. The system of claim 16 wherein the processor also transmits at least one selection option on the user interface of the user'"'"'s GPS enabled device enabling the user to enter and save user notes relating to any one of the separate destinations on the most direct route.

19. The system of claim 16 wherein the one or more separate destinations comprise at least one of a physical address, a name of an establishment, a property identifier number, a crossing of two street names, a phone number, a name of an institution, and a name of an entity.

20. A method for providing optimized mapping and travel to a plurality of destinations comprising the steps of:

determining a location of a user through a GPS enabled device in communication with a network and a server/processor;

receiving two or more destinations entered by a user utilizing a user interface on the GPS enabled device;

determining an exact geographical location associated with each of the two or more destinations by accessing at least one database in communication with the server/processor via the network;

mapping a most direct route to each of the exact geographical locations associated with the two or more destinations using the user'"'"'s location as the starting point; and

transmitting at least one of a map and written directions for the most direct route to the user'"'"'s GPS enabled device.

21. The method of claim 20 further comprising the step of receiving an indication from the user'"'"'s GPS enabled device that the user has arrived at the exact geographical location of a first destination on the most direct route.

22. The method of claim 21 further comprising the step of enabling the user to enter and save user notes relating to the destination at which the user has indicated his/her arrival by utilizing a user interface on the user'"'"'s GPS enabled device.

23. The method of claim 22 further comprising the step of receiving an indication from the user'"'"'s GPS enabled device that the user has departed from the first destination.

24. The method of claim 23 further comprising the steps of:

a. transmitting at least one of a map and written directions to the exact geographical location of a next destination on the most direct route;

b. receiving an indication from the user'"'"'s GPS enabled device that the user has arrived at the exact geographical location of the next destination on the most direct route;

c. enabling the user to enter and save user notes relating to the property at which the user has indicated his/her arrival by utilizing the user interface on the user'"'"'s GPS enabled device; and

d. receiving an indication from the user'"'"'s GPS enabled device that the user has departed from the most recent destination at which the user has indicated his/her arrival.

25. The method of claim 24 further comprising repeating steps a through d until receiving an indication from the user'"'"'s GPS enabled device that the user has departed from a last property on the most direct route.

26. A handheld device comprising:

a memory;

a program application;

an external drive for receiving stored information wherein the stored information includes a most direct route map to two or more properties; and

a user interface for viewing the stored information and inputting data;

wherein the program application guides a user to visit the two or more properties and enables the user to enter and save user created information relating to the two or more properties.

27. The handheld device of claim 26 wherein the stored information also includes data relating to the two or more properties.

28. A handheld device comprising:

a memory;

a program application;

wireless access capabilities for accessing one or more external databases through a network; and

a user interface for inputting two or more property identifiers;

wherein the program application guides a user to visit two or more property locations associated with the two or more property identifiers via a direct route map and enables the user to enter and save user created information relating to the two or more properties.