Facilitating submission and processing of requests to perform services on real property

• US 8,010,430 B1
• Filed: 09/17/2009
• Issued: 08/30/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/01/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hometelos LP
• Original Assignee: Hometelos LP
• Inventors: Bland, Doug, Chase, Lydia, Barrentine, Lisa
• Primary Examiner(s): CHEUNG, MARY DA ZHI WANG
• Application Number:
  US12/561,574
• Time in Patent Office: 712 Days
• Field of Search: 705/35, 705/38, 705300-301, 705/305, 705/307, 705313-315, 707/705, 707790-793
• US Class Current: 705/35
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/101 Collaborative creation, e.g. joint development of products or services
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/00 Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/16 Real estate
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/163 Real estate management

Abstract

Systems and techniques for submitting requests for approval relating to management of real property include presenting, on a user interface, a form for receiving data from a first user. An indication of one or more requests to be approved is received as a result of a user interaction with the form. For each request, types of data items to be provided by the first user are identified. The types of data items identified for each service are based on a type associated with the request. An indication of the identified types of data items for each request is displayed on the form. After a submission of the form, an approval of at least one, but fewer than all, of the requests can be received from a second user. In response, the first user can be notified of the approval and of requests not approved.

Claims

1. A method performed on a computer for managing real property, the method comprising:

communicating a request for approval form for display on a user interface of a client device, wherein the request for approval form relates to management of a real property;

receiving, by the user via the user interface, a selection for a service to be performed at the real property;

based on a type of the service that is selected by the user via the user interface, using a processor to determine one or more data item types associated with the received selection for the service, the one or more data item types comprising data needed for input by the user to assess whether the service is warranted;

communicating one or more indicators to identify each of the one or more data item types on the user interface for which an input is required; and

receiving the request for approval form that includes the input for each of the service and the one or more data item types associated with the received selection.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving a selection for a service comprises:

communicating a plurality of services for display on the user interface; and

receiving a selection for one of the plurality of services.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the plurality of services for display on the user interface is customizable according to the real property.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the plurality of services comprises services related to the preservation and protection of the real property.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein one of the one or more data item types associated with the received selection for the service comprises a price and further comprising:

comparing the input for the price to a maximum cost for the service; and

determining, using the processor, that the request is approved if the price is less than or equal to the maximum cost for the service.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the maximum cost comprises the maximum cost for the service for each of a plurality of geographic regions.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein determining one or more data item types comprises determining the one or more data item types from a predefined set of data item types identified on the request for approval form.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the predefined set of data items types is customizable according to requirements of an owner of the real property.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the request for approval form that includes an input for the service comprises a first bid and a second bid for the service.

10. A method performed on a computer for managing real property, the method comprising:

communicating a request for approval form for display on a user interface of a client device, wherein the request for approval form relates to management of a real property;

receiving a selection for a service to be performed at the real property;

determining, using a processor, one or more data item types associated with the received selection for the service;

communicating one or more indicators to identify each of the one or more data item types on the user interface for which an input is required; and

receiving the request for approval form that includes the input for each of the service and the one or more data item types associated with the received selection,

wherein determining one or more data item types comprises determining the one or more data item types from a predefined set of data item types identified on the request for approval form, and

wherein the predefined set of data item types comprises a quantity, a size, an explanation, and a price.

11. An article comprising a machine-readable medium storing instructions causing one or more processors to perform operations, comprising:

communicating a request for approval form for display on a user interface of a client device, wherein the request for approval form relates to management of a real property;

receiving a selection for a service to be performed at the real property;

determining one or more data item types associated with the received selection for the service;

communicating one or more indicators to identify each of the one or more data item types on the user interface for which an input is required; and

receiving the request for approval form that includes the input for each of the service and the one or more data item types associated with the received selection.

12. The article of claim 11, wherein receiving a selection for a service comprises:

communicating a plurality of services for display on the user interface; and

receiving a selection for one of the plurality of services.

13. The article of claim 12, wherein the plurality of services for display on the user interface is customizable according to the real property.

14. The article of claim 12, wherein the plurality of services comprises services related to the preservation and protection of the real property.

15. The article of claim 11, wherein one of the one or more data item types associated with the received selection for the service comprises a price and further comprising:

comparing the input for the price to a maximum cost for the service; and

determining that the request is approved if the price is less than or equal to the maximum cost for the service.

16. The article of claim 15, wherein the maximum cost comprises the maximum cost for the service for each of a plurality of geographic regions.

17. The article of claim 11, wherein determining one or more data item types comprises determining the one or more data item types from a predefined set of data item types identified on the request for approval form.

18. The article of claim 17, wherein the predefined set of data item types comprises a quantity, a size, an explanation, and a price.

19. The article of claim 17, wherein the predefined set of data items types is customizable according to requirements of an owner of the real property.

20. The article of claim 11, wherein the request for approval form that includes an input for the service comprises a first bid and a second bid for the service.