Method, system and apparatus for creating and accessing a hierarchical database in a format optimally suited to real estate listings

• US 6,985,902 B2
• Filed: 02/05/2002
• Issued: 01/10/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/05/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Move Sales, Inc. (News Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Threewide Corp. (News Corporation)
• Inventors: Miller, James B., Wise, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): Rones, Charles
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ortiz, Belix M.
• Application Number:
  US10/067,959
• Publication Number:
  US 20040098269A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,435 Days
• Field of Search: 707/10, 707/9, 707 1- 5, 707/102, 707/104.1, 345/418, 705/51, 705/36, 705/38
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/284 Relational databases
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/16 Real estate
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99931 Database or file accessing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99932 Access augmentation or optimizing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99933 Query processing, i.e. searching
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99934 Query formulation, input preparation, or translation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99935 Query augmenting and refining, e.g. inexact access
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99939 Privileged access
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99943 Generating database or data structure, e.g. via user interface
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99945 Object-oriented database structure processing

Abstract

A computer-implemented data management method, encryption system and interactive computer program for managing real estate information in a hierarchical database are disclosed. Also, a method, system and program for cross referencing a hierarchical database with a relational database are disclosed. A computer program accesses an XML definitional document on a handheld computer for inputting data related to real estate listings in a hierarchically controlled format for a database. Real estate agents provide input of data to the database using the handheld, portable computer. A menu or picklist driven display provides logical selection of data input and address fields, and a validation step for checking errors or omissions in the data entry procedure for a given record. A single, central database table is managed for input and distribution of real estate listing information to subscribers to the database management system.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method of managing listing information, relating to at least one property, for a real estate database, the method comprising:

at said property, entering property specific information into a portable computing device;

communicating said the property specific information from said portable computing device to a server computer system; and

adding, on said computer system, said property specific information as new records in a table having a plurality of records, each of said plurality of records including an address field and a descriptor; and

controlling the entry of said new records in said table so that said address fields for all of said plurality of records define a hierarchical structure among said plurality of records in said table;

wherein;

said address field comprises a hierarchically ordered set of identifiers;

said controlling of said entry of said new records includes, for each said property;

providing a highest level record defined within said table descriptive of a property attribute;

providing a second highest level record defined within said table containing a plurality of attributes depending from said property attribute of said highest level record, said attributes being descriptive of a structure; and

for each given record of said plurality of records other than ones having said highest level, the semantic meaning of said descriptor is based on a set of records in said table semantically above said given record; and

providing a third highest level record defined within said table containing a plurality of attributes depending from said structure attribute of said second highest level record, said attributes being descriptive of a room attribute providing a highest level record in said table;

a particular record is a member of said set of records hierarchically defined above said given record when all of said identifiers of said particular record appear identically in the same positions in said address field of said given record but said given record has at least one identifier not appearing identically in the same position in said address field of said particular record.

2. The computer-implemented method of managing listing information as set forth in claim 1, wherein also providing a fourth highest level record defined within said table containing at least one record having a field for entry of text descriptive information depending from said room attribute of said third highest level record.

3. The computer-implemented method of managing listing information as set forth in claim 1 or 2, wherein further comprising the step of providing a user interface on said personal computing device having a field for displaying the successive levels of priority in hierarchical order, with which the current level is hierarchically associated.

4. The computer-implemented method of managing listing information as set forth in claim 3, wherein said portable computing device is a handheld computer.

5. The computer-implemented method of managing listing information as set forth in claim 4, wherein said method further comprises providing an extensible markup language (XML) script, executable on said handheld computer, said XML script including a set of definitions being further defined and associated in a hierarchical addressing scheme.

6. The computer-implemented method of managing listing information as set forth in claim 5, wherein said table of hierarchically addressed fields being extensible without limitation to include additional said address fields, said address fields having an association with and depending logically from at least one of said logically higher levels of record.

7. The computer-implemented method of managing listing information as set forth in claim 6, wherein also providing means for capturing digital video images describing said next higher level record.

8. The computer-implemented method of managing listing information as set forth in claim 7, wherein said means for capturing digital video images comprises a digital camera coupled with a handheld computer having means for storing and addressing said video image.

9. The computer-implemented method of managing listing information as set forth in claim 8, wherein said digital camera being integrally mounted on said handheld personal digital computer.

10. The computer-implemented method of managing listing information as set forth in claim 9, wherein also providing means for electronically measuring and recording dimensions associated with an attribute of one of said records in a said second, third or fourth higher level record.

11. The computer-implemented method of managing listing information as set forth in claim 10, wherein said means for electronically measuring and recording dimensions comprises art infrared (IR) measuring device coupled with a handheld personal digital computer for storing and addressing said dimensions.

12. The computer-implemented method of managing listing information as set forth in claim 11, wherein said IR measuring device being integrally mounted on said handheld personal digital computer.

13. The computer-implemented method of managing listing information as set forth in claim 12, wherein said handheld personal digital computer operable by means of a computer application responsive to voice commands, said handheld computer having the ability to interpret voice signals for insertion of data related to said real estate.

14. The computer-implemented method of managing listing information as set forth in claim 13, wherein combining digital camera, IR and voice recognition in table for creation of virtual tour, comprising visual, audio and text descriptions within a said listing, said descriptions being displayable on a handheld computer.

15. A computer-implemented method of cross referencing a relational database with a hierarchical database comprising the steps of:

creating a definitional document, said document containing a data dictionary assigning numeric address information consistent with the subject matter of the database;

loading a definitional document into a standard database format;

accessing data from the definitional document for a programming language; and

writing said data to a database table consistent with the definitions set forth in said definitional document;

wherein said definitional document comprises a set of real estate descriptive definitions ordered hierarchically to define a plurality of records in at least three levels of priority, wherein a highest level record sets forth property descriptive information, a second highest level record sets forth structure descriptive information and depends logically from at least one of said highest level records, and a third highest level record sets forth room descriptive information and depends logically from at least one of said second highest level records.

16. The computer-implemented method of cross referencing a relational database with a hierarchical database as set forth in claim 15, wherein also comprising records in N additional hierarchical levels of priority, wherein N representing a positive integer, each said Nth level of priority associated with and depending logically from at least one of said (N−

1)th level records.

17. The computer-implemented method of cross referencing a relational database with a hierarchical database as set forth in claim 15, wherein at least one of said records includes features associated with a next higher level record.

18. The computer-implemented method of cross referencing a relational database with a hierarchical database as set forth in claim 15, wherein at least one of said records includes features associated with a next higher level record.

19. The computer-implemented method of cross referencing a relational database with a hierarchical database as set forth in claim 16, wherein at least one of said records includes features associated with a next higher level record.

20. A computer-implemented method for creating, storing and managing real estate listing data in a hierarchical database comprising the steps of:

providing at least one portable handheld computer device having a computer-readable interactive program installed thereon and executable with an operating system associated with said handheld computer device,

said interactive program having a menu-driven format, with a plurality of main menu selections displayed, and

a first said menu selection being to enter a new listing, a second said menu selection being to open an existing listing, and a third said menu selection being to delete a listing;

displaying a prompt to identify a new real estate related listing responsive to user'"'"'s selection to enter a new listing and, displaying a plurality of first level categories descriptive of a property associated with said listing from which the user may select for entering into a listing data set;

displaying a plurality of second level categories descriptive of one or more structures disposed on said property, if one of said first level categories is selected, and if an item is selected from second level categories,

displaying at least one of third level categories descriptive of one or more rooms within said structure or structures in the second level category;

displaying at least one subcategory descriptive of an item disposed within said one or more rooms to associate with the preceding level category up to a fifth level category;

optionally repeating the selection steps as desired to collect a set of selections that comprise a substantially complete set of descriptors of an associated property listing; and

if the user selects open listing, the first level categories are displayed again, such that data associated with the listing already in the database can be supplemented or modified as the steps of a new listing are repeated;

if the user selects delete listing, displaying a complete picklist of listing records all the first level categories are displayed again, such that records may be selected for deletion;

at least one user operating said interactive program to create at least one set of said listing data associated with one or more properties, said at least one set of listing data including a hierarchically arranged plurality of descriptors for describing one or more real estate entities;

providing a communications link between said handheld computer device and an intermediate computer storage device for downloading the sets of data for storage on the intermediate computer storage device;

providing a computer network connecting said intermediate computer storage device to at least one central file server;

transferring said downloaded sets of listing data from said intermediate computer storage device to said at least one central file server;

incorporating a plurality of said sets of listing data into a cumulative, hierarchically organized file system; and

accessing said file system via said computer network according to a predefined set of user security codes for retrieval of at least a portion of said listing data sets for use in compiling and disseminating listing data records in a plurality of formats adapted for marketing real estate entities.

21. The computer-implemented method as set forth in claim 20, wherein said computer network is the Internet and is accessed using a web browser having a user interface including navigation elements for selection of items for inclusion in a set of listing data.

22. The computer-implemented method as set forth in claim 21, wherein also providing a middleware program adapted to translate data from the central database to user programs written for access to a second database.

23. A computer software application for creating data records associated with one or more real estate listings comprising:

an interactive program having a menu-driven format, with a plurality of main menu selections displayed, a first said menu selection being to enter a new listing, a second said menu selection being to open an existing listing, and a third said menu selection being to delete a listing;

displaying a prompt to identify a new real estate related listing responsive to user'"'"'s selection to enter a new listing and, displaying a plurality of first level categories descriptive of a property associated with said listing from which the user may select for entering into a record;

a plurality of second level categories descriptive of one or more structures disposed on said property, if one of said first level categories is selected, and if an item is selected from second level categories,

at least one third level category descriptive of one or rooms within said structure or structures in one of the second level categories;

at least one subcategory descriptive of an item disposed within said one or more rooms to associate with the each higher level category up to a fifth level category;

each of said categories at every level being hierarchically defined in relation to the next higher level;

means for repeating the selection steps as desired to collect a set of selections that comprise a substantially complete set of descriptors of an associated property listing;

means for storing said one or more records locally;

means to edit any of said stored records;

means to delete one or more of said stored records;

said at least one record including a hierarchically arranged plurality of descriptors for describing one or more real estate entities; and

a communications link for transmitting the records for storage in a central database.

24. The computer software application as set forth in claim 23, wherein said program is executable on a portable handheld computer device means is a HotSync®

conduit storage means is a read only memory device capable of storing up to 32 MB of data.

25. The computer software application as set forth in claim 24, wherein said program being written in extensible markup language (XML).

26. The computer software application as set forth in claim 25, wherein said computer software application is an Internet-based application accessible by said users via the Internet, said users having at least one assigned security access code for verifying said user authorization.

27. A computer system for implementing a data management method of managing information relating to entities, comprising:

a processor; and

a memory under control of said processor, with computer instructions for causing said processor to perform the steps of;

providing, on said computer system, a table for storing a plurality of records, each of said plurality of records having an address field and a descriptor; and

controlling the entry of new records in said table so that said address fields for all of said plurality of records define a hierarchical structure among said plurality of records in said table;

wherein said address field comprises a hierarchically ordered set of identifiers; and

said controlling of said new records includes, for each of said entities;

providing a highest level records in said table, and

providing a plurality of records in said table hierarchically defined below said highest level record, each having said address field and said descriptor;

for each given record of said plurality of records, other than the records having said highest level, the meaning of said descriptor is based on a set of records in said table hierarchically defined above said given record; and

a particular record is a member of said set of record hierarchically defined above said given record when all of said identifiers of said particular record appear identically in the same positions in said address field of said given record but said given record has at least one identifier not appearing identically in the same position in said address field of said particular record, wherein all of said plurality of records are stored in only a single table.

28. The computer system for implementing the data management method as set forth in claim 27, wherein one of said records record further includes feature information.

29. The computer system for implementing the data management method as set forth in claim 27, said steps further comprising a step of providing a user interface for use with said computer system, said user interface comprising:

a selection element responsive to user inputs to select one of a plurality of predetermined selectable values;

a navigation element responsive to user inputs to manipulate said selection element to display ones of said plurality of predetermined selectable values, and to indicate a selection of one of said predetermined selectable values; and

a designation element responsive to user inputs to store in said table a new record having said descriptor based on said selection of said one of said predetermined selectable values.

30. The computer system for implementing the data management method as set forth in claim 29, wherein said user interface further comprises a hierarchical orientation element showing descriptor information for said set of records in said table semantically above said new record.

31. The computer system for implementing the data management method as set forth in claim 27, wherein all of said plurality of records are stored in the same table.

32. A computer program product for enabling a computer system to implement a data management method of managing information relating to entities, comprising:

a computer readable medium, and

computer instructions, on said computer readable medium, adapted to cause a computer to perform the steps of;

providing, on said computer system, a table for storing a plurality of records, each of said plurality of records having an address field and a descriptor; and

controlling the entry of new records in said table to that said address fields for all of said plurality of records define a hierarchial structure among said plurality of records in said table;

wherein;

said address field comprises a hierarchically ordered set of identifiers;

said controlling of said entry of said new records includes, for each of said entries;

providing a highest level record in said table, and

providing a plurality of records in said table hierarchically defined below said highest level record, each having said address field and said descriptor;

for each given record of said plurality of records, other than the records having said highest level, the meaning of said descriptor is based on a set of records in said table hierarchically defined above said given record; and

a particular record is a member of said set of record hierarchically defined above said given record when all of said identifiers of said particular record appear identically in the same positions in said address field of said given record but said given record has at least one identifier not appearing identically in the same position in said address field of said particular record, wherein all of said plurality of records are stored in only a single table.

33. The computer program product as set forth in claim 32, wherein one of said record records further includes feature information.

34. The computer program product as set forth in claim 32, said steps further comprising a step of providing a user interface for use with said computer system, said user interface comprising:

a selection element responsive to user inputs to select one of a plurality of predetermined selectable values;

a navigation element responsive to user inputs to manipulate said selection element to display ones of said plurality of predetermined selectable values, and to indicate a selection of one of said predetermined selectable values; and

a designation element responsive to user inputs to store in said table a new record having said descriptor based on said selection of said one of said predetermined selectable values.

35. The computer program product as set forth in claim 34, wherein said user interface further comprises a hierarchical orientation element showing descriptor information for said set of records in said table semantically above said new record.

36. A computer-implemented method of obtaining listing information, relating to at least one property, for a real estate database, the method comprising:

at said property, entering property specific information into a portable computing device;

communicating said the property specific information from said portable computing device to a server computer system;

adding, on said computer system, said property specific information as new records in a table having a plurality of records, each of said plurality of records including an address field and a descriptor; and

controlling the entry of said new records in said table so that said address fields for all of said plurality of records define a hierarchical structure among said plurality of records in said table;

wherein;

said address field comprises a hierarchically ordered set of identifiers;

said controlling of said entry of said new records includes, for each said property;

providing a highest level record in said table, and

providing a plurality of records in said table hierarchically defined below said highest level record, each having said address field and said descriptor;

for each given record other than ones of said plurality of records having said highest level, the meaning of said descriptor is based on a set of records in said table hierarchically above said given record; and

a particular record is a member of said set of records hierarchically above said given record when all of said identifiers of said particular record appear identically in the same positions in said address field of said given record but said given record has at least one identifier not appearing identically in the same position in said address field of said particular record.