Method and apparatus for dynamically creating and transmitting documents via facsmile equipment
First Claim
1. A computer-based system for dynamically creating a document containing map information on real estate listings in response to a remote user'"'"'s request and for transmitting the dynamically created document to the user via facsimile transmission, the computer-based system comprising:
- a) a programmed computer having memory;
b) a listings database containing real estate listings, each of said listings being defined in terms of geographic coordinates;
c) a mapping database containing alphanumeric map data which define map features in terms of geographic coordinates;
d) data communication means for receiving a remote user'"'"'s request as a set of data elements defining search parameters for real estate listings in a specific geographic area;
e) comparison means for comparing said request with said listings stored in said listings database;
f) selection means for selecting ones of said listings which most closely approximate said user'"'"'s request;
g) means for dynamically creating a document in a page description format which includes at least one map page using alphanumeric map data from the mapping database, said at least one map page providing map locator information specifically tailored to said selected ones of said listings;
h) format conversion means for converting the format of the dynamically created document from said page description format into a format suitable for facsimile transmission;
i) storage means for electronically storing said map page; and
j) facsimile transmission means for transmitting said converted document including said at least one map page via facsimile to the user.
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Abstract
Computerized system for dynamically creating a document from a database responsive to input from a remote user and transmitting the document to the user'"'"'s facsimile machine. When the user desires to access a remote database according to the present invention, that user calls the apparatus of the present invention and in response to a voice menu system creates queries to the database. The apparatus of the present invention can also handle queries created by computer programs on remote computer systems. After receipt of the user'"'"'s request, the system processes the request into a dynamically created document which meets the user'"'"'s specifications and automatically transmits the document to the user'"'"'s facsimile machine. The system has complete flexibility and control over the textual and graphical characteristics of the created document to enhance the presentation and usefulness of the information to the user. A real estate sales support system constructed according to the principles of the present invention presents the user with a document comprising a listing of properties best meeting the user'"'"'s needs and series of maps of varying scale enabling the user to locate the properties for inspection. Supporting the real estate sales support embodiment of the present invention is a methodology for geocoding listed properties with their respective latitudes and longitudes.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A computer-based system for dynamically creating a document containing map information on real estate listings in response to a remote user'"'"'s request and for transmitting the dynamically created document to the user via facsimile transmission, the computer-based system comprising:
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a) a programmed computer having memory; b) a listings database containing real estate listings, each of said listings being defined in terms of geographic coordinates; c) a mapping database containing alphanumeric map data which define map features in terms of geographic coordinates; d) data communication means for receiving a remote user'"'"'s request as a set of data elements defining search parameters for real estate listings in a specific geographic area; e) comparison means for comparing said request with said listings stored in said listings database; f) selection means for selecting ones of said listings which most closely approximate said user'"'"'s request; g) means for dynamically creating a document in a page description format which includes at least one map page using alphanumeric map data from the mapping database, said at least one map page providing map locator information specifically tailored to said selected ones of said listings; h) format conversion means for converting the format of the dynamically created document from said page description format into a format suitable for facsimile transmission; i) storage means for electronically storing said map page; and j) facsimile transmission means for transmitting said converted document including said at least one map page via facsimile to the user. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A method for dynamically creating a document containing map information on real estate listings in response to a remote user'"'"'s electronic message request generated on a remote computer network and for transmitting the dynamically created document to the user via facsimile transmission, the method comprising the steps of:
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electronically maintaining a listings database containing real estate listings, each of said listings being defined in terms of geographic coordinates; electronically maintaining a mapping database containing alphanumeric map data which define map features in terms of geographic coordinates; periodically accessing and retrieving electronic messages generated by a user from a remote computer network, each electronic message containing a set of data elements defining the remote user'"'"'s request for information on real estate listings in a specific geographic area; comparing said request with said listings stored in said listings database; selecting ones of said listings which most closely approximate said user'"'"'s request; dynamically creating a document in a page description format which includes at least one map page using alphanumeric map data from the mapping database, said at least one map page providing map locator information specifically tailored to said selected ones of said listings; converting the format of the dynamically created document from said page description format into a format suitable for facsimile transmission; electronically storing said map page; and transmitting said converted document including said at least one map page via facsimile to the remote user. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for dynamically creating a document containing information of interest to a remote user and in response to a remote user'"'"'s electronic request and for transmitting the dynamically created document to the user via facsimile transmission, the method comprising the steps of:
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electronically maintaining at least one database containing information of interest to a user, receiving as a set of electronic signals via a data communications link a remote user'"'"'s request for information on specific items of information contained in said database; comparing the user'"'"'s request with the information stored in the database; selecting items of information which most closely approximate the user'"'"'s request; dynamically creating a uniquely tailored document such that the structure, composition, organization and appearance of the uniquely tailored document is determined as a result of the amount and type of items of information that are selected from the database, the uniquely tailored document created in a file format which supports sophisticated text characteristics and complete graphical flexibility; converting the dynamically created document into a format suitable for facsimile transmission; and transmitting the converted document via facsimile to the remote user. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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14. A method for dynamically creating a document containing information of interest to a remote user and in response to a remote user'"'"'s electronic request and for transmitting the dynamically created document to the user via facsimile transmission, the method comprising the steps of:
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electronically maintaining at least one database containing information of interest to a remote user; receiving as a set of electronic signals via a data communications link a remote user'"'"'s request for information on specific items of information contained in said database; comparing the user'"'"'s request with the information stored in the database; selecting items of information which most closely approximate the user'"'"'s request; dynamically creating a uniquely tailored document such that the structure, composition, organization and appearance of the uniquely tailored document is determined as a result of the amount and type of items of information that are selected from the database, the uniquely tailored document created in a file format which supports sophisticated text characteristics and complete graphical flexibility, and wherein the dynamic creation of the uniquely tailored document further comprises; sorting the selected items of information into a first sequence most appropriate for presentation to the user; creating a textual representation of the first sequence; converting the selected items of information into information required for a pictorial or visual interpretation of the selected items of information; sorting the converted information into a second sequence most appropriate for presentation to the user; creating a graphical representation of the second sequence; and storing the textual representation and the graphical representation as a first unique file having a format that supports sophisticated text characteristics and complete graphical flexibility; converting the dynamically created document into a format suitable for facsimile transmission; and transmitting the converted document via facsimile to the user. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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Specification