System and method for associating aerial images, map features, and information

• US 7,487,114 B2
• Filed: 03/03/2005
• Issued: 02/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Costar Realty Information Incorporated (CoStar Group Inc.)
• Original Assignee: CoStar Group Inc.
• Inventors: Florance, Andrew C., Kitchen, Jennifer
• Primary Examiner(s): Beaulieu; Yonel
• Application Number:
  US11/070,183
• Publication Number:
  US 20050203768A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,433 Days
• Field of Search: 701/200, 701/211, 705/1, 705/26
• US Class Current: 705/27.2
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0643 Graphical representation of items or shoppers
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/16 Real estate

Abstract

Systems and methods for creating a unified commercial real estate data model through collection, distribution and use of information in connection with commercial real estate and for creating a web-based marketplace that facilitates the efficient and secure buying, selling, and leasing of commercial properties. The invention facilitates a digital marketplace in which the members of the commercial real estate and related business community can continuously interact and facilitate transactions by efficiently exchanging accurate and standardized information. An embodiment provides systems and methods for researching and developing information on commercial real estate properties, including systems and methods for associating an aerial image with map features and information concerning objects appearing in the image.

Claims

1. In a system comprising a real estate database containing information regarding commercial real estate properties, a method for disseminating information contained in the real estate database comprising:

displaying a computer user interface containing an aerial image of an area of land, wherein an image of a property appears in the aerial image;

overlaying map features onto the aerial image;

overlaying onto the aerial image an indication of a location of an object moving within the area of land;

associating information related to the property with the image of the property appearing in the aerial image; and

providing access through the computer user interface to the information related to the property.

2. The method of claim 1, the property comprising one of a landmark and a commercial real estate building.

3. The method of claim 1, the information about the property comprising a photograph of the property.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying an icon over the image of the property in the aerial image;

associating the information with the icon; and

displaying the information in response to a user'"'"'s selecting the icon.

5. The method of claim 4, the user selecting the icon by one of clicking on the icon and moving a mouse cursor over the icon.

6. The method of claim 1, the map features comprising one of street names, lines indicating street routes, lines indicating city boundaries, lines indicating county boundaries, lines indicating state boundaries, and symbols indicating terrain features.

7. The method of claim 1, the object comprising an individual investigating the area of land.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

receiving from the individual additional information related to the property;

associating the additional information with the image of the property appearing in the aerial image; and

providing access through the computer user interface to the additional information related to the property.

9. The method of claim 7, the aerial image comprising a digital aerial photograph of the area of land.