Real-estate method and apparatus for searching for homes in a search pool for exact and close matches according to primary and non-primary selection criteria
First Claim
1. A method for searching for items in a search pool based on selected search features, comprising the steps of:
- selecting a plurality of primary and non-primary search features to be used for basing a search for items in the search pool;
comparing each item in the search pool with said plurality of primary search features;
eliminating items in the search pool which are not an exact match or a near match with said plurality of primary search features;
comparing each item remaining in the search pool with said plurality of non-primary search features;
assigning points to an item in the search pool for a feature which is an exact match or a near match to a feature in said plurality of primary and non-primary search features, all said points to be assigned to said features being predetermined and not requiring input by a user requesting said searching for said items; and
generating a predetermined number of items in the search pool with the highest total points.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus is provided for a search system based in software running on a personal computer. The personal computer is housed in a kiosk having a touch monitor and a printer. With the search system, selection features are selected and a search based upon these search features is performed. Each item in a database is examined to determine if an item has a given search feature. These search features are categorized into primary and non-primary search features. Items neither satisfying nor closely satisfying a given primary search feature are eliminated from the search. In contrast, items not satisfying a given non-primary feature may remain in a search pool. For both primary and non-primary features, if an item in a database is an exact match to a given search feature, then that item is assigned full points. If an item closely satisfies the search feature then that item is assigned full or partial points. After completion of comparing each primary and non-primary search features with each item in the search pool, predetermined number of items remaining in the search pool with the highest total points are displayed to the user of the search system.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A method for searching for items in a search pool based on selected search features, comprising the steps of:
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selecting a plurality of primary and non-primary search features to be used for basing a search for items in the search pool; comparing each item in the search pool with said plurality of primary search features; eliminating items in the search pool which are not an exact match or a near match with said plurality of primary search features; comparing each item remaining in the search pool with said plurality of non-primary search features; assigning points to an item in the search pool for a feature which is an exact match or a near match to a feature in said plurality of primary and non-primary search features, all said points to be assigned to said features being predetermined and not requiring input by a user requesting said searching for said items; and generating a predetermined number of items in the search pool with the highest total points. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. An apparatus for searching for items in a search pool based on selected plurality of primary and non-primary search features, said apparatus comprising:
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a first storage element for storing text data of the search pool; a second storage element for storing audio and visual data of the search pool; a comparator element for comparing each item in the search pool for a feature which is an exact match or a near match to said plurality of primary or non-primary search features, said comparator element comparing each item with said plurality of primary search features before comparing selected said each item which is an exact match or a near match to said primary search feature with said non-primary search features; a point assignment element for assigning points to an item in the search pool for a feature which is an exact match or a near match to a primary or a non-primary feature in said search features, said point assignment element assigning points to an item based on a plurality of tables including a predetermined schedule of points to be assigned to said features of an item; a third storage element for storing said text, audio, visual data and said point assignment element of the search pool; a CPU for processing the data in said first storage element, said second storage element and said third storage element; and a display element for displaying said search features and search results. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8)
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9. A system for searching for items in a search pool based on selected plurality of primary and non-primary search features, said system comprising:
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a first storage element for storing text data of the search pool; a second storage element for storing audio and visual data of the search pool; a comparator element for comparing each item in the search pool for a feature which is an exact match or a near match to said plurality of primary or non-primary search features, said comparator element comparing each item with said plurality of primary search features before comparing selected said each item which is an exact match or a near match to said primary search feature with said non-primary search features; a point assignment element for assigning points to an item in the search pool for a feature which is an exact match or a near match to a primary or a non-primary feature in said search features, said point assignment element assigning points to an item based on a plurality of tables including a predetermined schedule of points to be assigned to said features of an item; a third storage element for storing said text, audio, visual data and said point assignment element of the search pool; a CPU for processing the data in said first storage element, said second storage element and said third storage element; and a display element for displaying said search features and search results comprising items with highest total points. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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13. An apparatus for searching for items in a search pool based on selected plurality of primary and non-primary search features, said apparatus comprising:
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means for storing text data of the search pool; means for storing audio and visual data of the search pool; means for comparing each item in the search pool for a feature which is an exact match or a near match to said plurality of primary or non-primary search features, said means for comparing compares each item with said plurality of primary search features before comparing selected said each item which is an exact match or a near match to said primary search feature with said non-primary search features; means for assigning points to an item in the search pool for a feature which is an exact match or a near match to a primary or a non-primary feature in said search features, said means for assigning points to an item performing said assigning based on a plurality of tables including a predetermined schedule of points to be assigned to said features of an item; means for storing said text, audio, visual data and said means for assigning points; means for processing the data in said means for storing text, said means for storing audio and said means for assigning; and means for displaying said search features and search results. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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17. An apparatus for performing a search for homes in a search pool, and housed in an enclosure comprising:
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a touch monitor for displaying selection screens, and for accepting inputs, said selection screens displaying a predetermined number of selection features; a database containing a predetermined number of items to be searched; a search software for producing a predetermined number of search results based on said predetermined number of primary and non-primary selection features and by searching through said database for said items with features matching said primary and non-primary selection features and assigning points to said features corresponding to matching primary and non-primary selection features, said primary selection features being evaluated before said non-primary selection features, all said points to be assigned to said features being predetermined and not requiring input of said points by a user requesting said search; a computer for running said search software; a printer for producing a printout with information on a predetermined number of search results; a printer output portion for dispensing said printout; and a first storage element for storing said database. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A system for performing a search for homes in a search pool, and housed in an enclosure comprising:
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a touch monitor for displaying selection screens, and for accepting inputs, said selection screens displaying a predetermined number of selection features; a database containing a predetermined number of items to be searched; a search software for producing a predetermined number of search results based on said predetermined number of primary and non-primary selection features and by searching through said database for said items with features matching said primary and non-primary selection features and assigning points to said features corresponding to matching primary and non-primary selection features, said primary selection features being evaluated before said non-primary selection features, all said points to be assigned for said features being predetermined and not requiring input of said points by a user requesting said search; a computer for running said search software; a printer for producing a printout with information on a predetermined number of search results; a printer output portion for dispensing said printout; and a first storage element for storing said database. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification