Apparatus and method for communicating textual and image information between a host computer and a remote display terminal

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An automatic multi-user rapid response real estate property information exchange system for interactively acquiring, retrieving and displaying both graphical and textural information corresponding to real estate properties by a plurality of user simultaneously from separate remote locations, said system permitting images of real estate properties to be provided by plural remote data terminals to a multi-user host computer system over telephone lines for storage into a database for subsequent automatic retrieval from said database for subsequent automatic retrieval from said database by said plural remote data terminals on a real time interactive basis, said system comprising:

a multi-user host computer system for storing a data base including data representing text corresponding to real estate properties and data representing images corresponding to said properties and for permitting automatic retrieval of stored data substantially simultaneously on a real time interactive basis by plural remote data terminals; and

said plural remote data terminals connectable to said host computer system via telephone lines, said plural remote data terminals accessing and retrieving said text and image data stored by said host computer system, each said remote data terminal including:

means for receiving video signals representing an image of a said property;

means coupled to said receiving means for converting said video signals to digital video signals representing said image,

means for compressing said digital video signal to form compressed digital video signals,

means for providing digital textural information signals corresponding to said property,

means for transmitting said compressed digital video signals, said digital textural information signals, and an associated multiple-listing service number, to said host computer system over said telephone lines,

means for receiving compressed digital video signals and digital textual information signals over said telephone lines from said host computer system, and

means for displaying images and text in response to received digital video signals and digital textural information signals received over said telephone lines,

wherein said host computer system includes:

communications means for substantially simultaneously connecting with said plural remote data terminals via said telephone lines, including database means for receiving and storing, in said database, said compressed digital video and textural information signals transmitted by said plural remote data terminals over said telephone lines, and

providing means for automatically retrieving from said database, based on multiple listing service number, on a real time interactive basis, said received compressed digital video signals representing an image of said property and for efficiently providing said retrieved compressed digital video signals and said textural information signals over said telephone lines on a real time interactive basis, to said remote data terminals.

2. A multi-user system as in claim 1 wherein said database means stores said compressed digital video signals in a file indexed by a key field consisting of said real estate multiple listing service number, a photo number, and a segment number.

3. A multi-user system as in claim 1 wherein said database means stores image data in segments, each segment including up to 2048 bytes of compressed image data.

4. A multi-user system as in claim 1 wherein:

said host computer system providing means includes transmitting means connected to said telephone line for permitting later retrieval of said received image signals by said remote data terminal, said host computer system transmitting means including:

(a) means for transmitting a first predetermined escape sequence from said host computer system to one of said plural remote data terminals directing the remote data terminal to enter a blocked data transmission protocol, and

(b) means for transmitting, subsequent to said first predetermined escape sequence, data packets containing compressed digital video signals from the host system to the remote data terminal;

said one remote data terminal transmitting means includes means for transmitting an acknowledge message to said host computer system in response to receipt of each of said transmitted data packets; and

said host computer system transmitting means further includes means for transmitting a further predetermined escape sequence from the host system to the remote data terminal after all said compressed digital video signals representing a real estate property image have been transmitted.

5. A multi-user system as in claim 4 wherein said first predetermined escape sequence is selected from a binary coded octal value representing "ESC.sub.-- SPH", indicating that the display terminal is to become the master and the host computer is to become the slave in a subsequent transfer of blocked data information from the display terminal to the host, and a binary coded octal value representing "ESC.sub.-- PHO", indicating that the host computer is to become the master and the display terminal is to become the slave in a subsequent transfer of blocked data information from the host computer to the display terminal.

6. A multi-user system as in claim 4 wherein said further predetermined escape sequence, having a binary coded octal value representing "ESC.sub.-- ASY--, indicates the end of blocked data protocol and a return to an asynchronous protocol.

7. A multi-user system as in claim 1 wherein:

each of said plural remote data terminals further includes a volatile image data buffer memory;

said converting means includes means for storing said digital signals representing said image in said volatile data buffer memory; and

said compressing means includes means for reading said digital signals from said volatile data buffer memory.

8. A system as in claim 1 wherein said multi-user host computer system is capable of storing multiple images of each of said properties.

9. A method of interactively exchanging real estate property image data between a multi-user host computer system and a remote display terminal to permit images of real estate properties to be provided by plural remote data terminals to a multi-user host computer system over telephone lines for storage into a database and subsequent automatic retrieval on a real time interactive basis by said plural remote data terminals, said method comprising:

(a) transmitting text from said remote display terminal to said host computer system;

(b) interactively requesting, through a text data transmission from said remote display terminal, an image from said host computer system; and

(c) automatically responding to said request by performing the following steps:

(1) transmitting, in response to said request, a first predetermined escape sequence from the host system to the display terminal directing the display terminal to enter a blocked data transmission protocol;

(2) transmitting a data packet stored in an image database maintained by the host system from the host system to the display terminal;

(3) providing an acknowledge message from the display terminal to the host system in response to receipt of the data packet transmitted by step (2);

(4) repeating (2) and (3) until all data representing said image has been transmitted;

(5) transmitting a further predetermined escape sequence from the host system to the display terminal after all said data representing said image has been transmitted; and

substantially concurrently performing said step (c) for plural said remote display terminals so as to permit said plural remote display terminals to substantially simultaneously access said host computer system.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein said first predetermined escape sequence is selected from a binary coded octal value representing "ESC.sub.-- SPH", indicating that the display terminal is to become the master and the host computer is to become the slave in a subsequent transfer of blocked data information from the display terminal to the host, and a binary coded octal value representing "ESC.sub.-- PHO", indicating that the host computer is to become the master and the display terminal is to become the slave in a subsequent transfer of blocked data information from the host computer to the display terminal.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein said further predetermined escape sequence, having a binary coded octal value representing "ESC.sub.-- ASY", indicates the end of blocked data protocol and a return to an asynchronous protocol.

12. A method of claim 9 wherein said steps (c)(1), (c)(2), (c)(3), (c)(4) and (c)(5) are repeated for different images of corresponding multiple views of the same real estate property.

13. An automatic multi-user real estate listing information storage and retrieval system with digitized video image handling capabilities, said system capable of simultaneous access by a plurality of user from separate remote locations, so as to permit images of real estate properties to be provided by plural remote user stations to a multi-user host computer system over a telecommunications network for storage into a database and subsequent automatic retrieval in a real time interactive basis by said plural remote data terminals, said method comprising:

a multi-user host processor for automatically responding to and interactively handling data inquiries from plural remote user substantially simultaneously over said telecommunications network, said host processor including:

mass storage means for storing a digital information database containing plural textual real estate property listings and associated compressed digital signal images corresponding to said real estate properties, and

host processor telecommunicating means for telecommunicating said stored digital information substantially simultaneously to said plural remote user stations over said telecommunications network;

said plural user stations being remote from said host processor, each said remote plural user station including remote station telecommunicating means for exchanging digital signals with said host processor telecommunicating means on a real time interactive basis over said telecommunications network and display means for displaying real estate property listing information represented by said exchanged digital signals;

at least one of said remote user stations further comprising:

generating means, responsive to image signals provided to one said user station, said image signals representing an image of a real estate property, said generating means for generating at least one digital signal image message in a compressed form representing said image, and

remote station telecommunicating means cooperating with said host processor telecommunicating means for transmitting said digital signal image message in a compressed form from said one remote user station to said host processor over said telecommunications network;

said host processor further including file manager means connected to said host processor telecommunicating means for automatically receiving said transmitted compressed digital signal image message, for storing said received digital signal image message, for associating said stored compressed digital signal image message with one of said textual listings, and for permitting efficient later automatic repetitive retrieval of said compressed digital signal image message along with said associated textual listing substantially simultaneously on an interactive basis by said plural user terminals over said telecommunications network while preventing conflicting image operations on the same stored image messages.

14. A multi-user system as in claim 13 wherein said file management means included:

means for indexing said stored listing information based on real estate multiple listing number, and

means for retrieving stored digital signal messages based on said real estate multiple listing number and for providing said retrieved messages to said host processor telecommunicating means for communication to remote user stations over said telecommunication network.

15. A multi-user system as in claim 13 wherein said file manager means includes means for storing plural received digital signal messages corresponding to plural images of the same real estate property on said mass storage means in discrete files separate from and associated with said stored information representing said associated listing.

16. A multi-user system as in claim 13 wherein:

said at least one remote station further includes video source means for providing video signals representing said image; and

said generating means includes graphics means connected to receive said video signals for converting said video signals to said digital signal message.

17. A multi-user system as in claim 13 wherein said remote station telecommunicating means includes:

control means for alternately operating in:

(a) a master mode for sending a digital signal image message to said host processor upon receipt of a first control signal sequence from said host processor telecommunicating means, and

(b) a slave mode for receiving a digital signal image message from said host processor upon receipt of a second control signal sequence different from said first sequence from said host processor telecommunicating means; and

means connected to said control means for transmitting digital signal messages to said host processor telecommunicating means in said master mode and for receiving digital signal messages from said host processor telecommunicating means in said slave mode.

18. A multi-user system as in claim 13 wherein said remote station telecommunicating means telecommunicates said digital signal message substantially immediately upon generation of said digital signal message from said image signals.

19. A system as in claim 13 wherein said mass storage means is capable of storing multiple compressed digital signal images corresponding to each of said real estate properties, said multiple stored images showing different multiple views of each of said properties.

20. An interactive method of accessing and displaying both text and images corresponding to real estate property at a remote user station connected by a telecommunications network to a host processor so as to permit images of real estate properties to be provided by plural remote user stations to a multi-user host computer system over a telecommunications network for incorporation into a database and subsequent automatic retrieval from said database on a real time interactive basis by said plural remote data terminals, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) transmitting a request for an optional image function from said remote user station to said host processor;

(b) in response to receipt of said request by said host processor, automatically prompting a user of the remote user station for a real estate multiple listing number;

(c) transmitting a multiple listing number from said remote user station to said host processor in response to said prompt;

(d) providing a predefined abbreviated text in mini listing format describing a real estate property that corresponds to said transmitted multiple listing number and transmitting said abbreviated text from said host processor to said remote user station;

(e) displaying said abbreviated mini listing text format on a display of said remote user station;

(f) operating both said remote user station and said host processor in blocked file transfer mode while performing said displaying step (e) in response to signals generated at said host processor and transmitted to said remote user station;

(g) is said blocked file transfer mode, transmitting data representing said real estate property image corresponding to said transmitted multiple listing number from said host processor to said remote user station and receiving said image data with said remote user station;

(h) substantially concurrent with the reception of said image data at said remote user station displaying said real estate property image on said remote user display station in response to said received image data such that said mini listing text format and said real estate property image become simultaneously viewable on said display;

(i) transmitting a further text listing format describing said real estate property corresponding to said multiple listing number from said host processor to said remote user station;

(j) receiving said further text listing format with said remote user station; and

(k) allowing said user to alternately view, on said remote user station display,:

(1) said mini listing text format and said real estate property image; and

(2) said further text listing format, without repeating said transmitting step (g).

21. The method of claim 20 wherein said step (g) includes successively transmitting at least first and second blocks of said image data, and said step (h) includes displaying a portion of said image represented by said first block while said step (g) transmits said second block to said remote user station.

22. A multi-user system as in claim 20 wherein said method further includes programming said remote data terminal to define a user actuated hot key means allowing a user to alternately view on a common display, via single keystroke operation:

(a) a composite image comprising mini-listing text format and real estate property image, and

(b) said further text listing format.

23. A method as in claim 20 further including the step of repeating said steps (c) through (g) to provides a display of multiple views of the same real estate property.

24. A multi-user system for interactively communicating image and text data representing real estate properties between a host computer and a plurality of simultaneously functioning remote user workstations over a telecommunications network including in-line components producing responses to certain data signals, so as to permit images of real estate properties to be provided by plural remote user workstations to a multi-user host computer over a telecommunications network for incorporation into a database and subsequent retrieval from said database on a real time interactive basis by said plural remote user workstation, said system including:

data providing means at at least one remote user workstation for providing digital data signals representing an image of a real estate property;

data transmitting means at said remote user workstation for transmitting said digital image data signals over said telecommunications network;

data receiving means at said host for automatically receiving and storing said transmitted digital image data signals in a database for later automatic retrieval by said remote user workstation over said transmission network on an interactive basis;

first translating means connected between said providing means and said data transmitting means for translating only certain image digital data signals from initial digital data values to other digital data values prior to transmission, said other values inhibiting said response to said in-line components; and

second translating means connected to said data receiving means for translating received digital data image signals having said other digital data values back to said initial digital data values.

25. A multi-user system as in claim 24 wherein:

said first translating means comprises means for ORing any initial value within the range of 00.sub.hex to 1F.sub.hex with octal value 100.

26. A multi-user system as in claim 24 wherein said first translating means includes means for restricting the appearance of octal values within the set of 23, 21 and 05.

27. A multi-user system as in claim 24 wherein:

said data providing means comprises means responsive to inputted video signals representing said image for digitizing said video signals and providing resulting digital data signals in a volatile buffer memory for transmission by said data transmitting means; and

said data transmitting means transmits said digital data signals from said buffer memory substantially immediately after said signals have been digitized without storing said digitized data signals on a mass storage device.

28. A multi-user system for interactively communicating image and text data associated with real estate properties between a multi-user host computer and a plurality of simultaneously functioning remote user workstations over a telecommunications network to permit images of real estate properties to be provided by plural remote user workstations to a multi-user host computer over a telecommunications network for incorporation into a database and subsequent retrieval from said database on a real time interactive basis by said plural remote user workstation, said system including:

data providing means at said remote user workstation for providing data signals representing an image of a real estate property and for compressing said data signals for later decompression and display by the same or different remote workstation;

data transmitting means connected to said providing means and to said telecommunications network for transmitting said image data signals over said telecommunications network in a compressed form to said host;

data received means at said host connected to said telecommunications network for automatically receiving said compressed transmitted image data signals;

data means connected to said data receiving means for automatically storing in association with a multiple listing service number, said compressed transmitted image data signals in an image signal database substantially in the compressed form in which they are received by said data receiving means;

data access means connected to said data storing means for automatically retrieving compressed image data signals of real estate property in automatic unattended response to requests initiated by said remote user workstation, said requests including specifying a real estate multiple listing service number, said data access means capable of serving multiple remote user workstations substantially simultaneously; and

data transmitting means connected to said data access means and to said telecommunications network for automatically transmitting over said telecommunications network said retrieved data signals to said remote user workstation substantially in the compressed form in which they were previously received by said data receiving means.

29. A multi-user system as in claim 28 wherein:

said data providing means comprises means responsive to inputted video signals representing said image for digitizing said video signals and providing resulting digital data signals in a volatile buffer memory for transmission by said data transmitting means; and

said data transmitting means transmits said digital data signals from said buffer memory substantially immediately upon digitizing of said data signals without storing said digitized data signals on a mass storage device.

30. A system as in claim 28 wherein said data storing means is capable of storing multiple compressed images corresponding to a particular real estate property, each of said stored images being stored in association with a multiple listing service number and an image sequence number corresponding to said property.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to communication of text and image data between a host computer and a remote display terminal. More particularly, the invention relates to a system and method for storing, manipulating, retrieving and displaying images and text associated with real estate properties being offered for sale, and to a protocol for communicating real estate listing text and images of properties for sale between a host computer and a remote data terminal.

The ability of real estate agents and brokers to instantly access information relating to properties on the market often makes the difference between making or losing a sale. Typically, real estate agents rely upon printed listings and computer-stored information that can be displayed on a computer display screen or printed on a computer printer. However, agents cannot easily match the needs and desires of a prospective customer with specific properties without actually touring the properties with the customer--a process which is extremely time consuming and can often turn out to be a waste of time.

Textual listing information such as that provided by the multiple listing service ("MLS") is usually very helpful in identifying properties that may be of interest to specific customers but often fails to provide sufficient information to exclude properties that customers would immediately reject from their consideration upon merely viewing the property from the exterior. Sometimes, published photographs (typically only black and white) are available which show some of the features of properties. Unfortunately, such photographs are generally poorly composed, are of relatively low quality, are poorly reproduced, and are not always widely or rapidly distributed to realtors.

Automated real estate systems which allow realtors to access image as well as textual information are generally known. For example, Microsoft Corp., I/NET, Inc., Board of Realty Information Systems ("BORIS), and AT&T all have developed automated real estate listing services which provide images as well as text. The following is a by no means exhaustive listing of representative publications which are generally relevant in showing the state of the art of such imaging systems:

"Three Bedrooms, Two Baths, One Mac", Heid, J., Macworld, Vol. 2, No. 8, Aug. 1985, pp. 116-120.

"Southwestern Michigan's Knapp Introduces Unique Real Estate System", Anon, Data Management, Vol. 22, No. 8, Aug. 1984, pp. 46, 54.

"PCs Prove to be the Real Estate Thing", Freedman, E., PC (Independent Guide to IBM Personal Computers), Vol. 4, No. 5, Mar. 5, 1985, p. 60.

"Boris Adds Imaging Options to System", Polilli, S. MIS Week, Vol. 6, No. 1, Jan. 2, 1985, p. 25.

"AT&T Joins Realtors in Home Sales", Greenstein, I. MIS Week, Vol. 5, No. 26, Jun. 27, 1984, pp. 1, 30.

However, many further improvements in such systems are still possible.

For example, most prior systems only operate in a "local" mode--meaning that display terminals capable of displaying images must be installed within close proximity to the central "host" computer which stores and manipulates the image and text information. Typically, however, realty offices are unwilling to undertake the expense of purchasing and maintaining a large minicomputer and associated database, relying instead on inexpensive data terminals or microcomputers (e.g., IBM PC compatibles) connected to a large central computer via modems and conventional telephone lines. Transmission of color images of acceptable quality from a host computer to a data terminal over a telephone line is difficult, especially in view of the noise inherent on conventional telephone lines, banddwidth limitations, telephone line equipment responses to transmitted data, of telephone lines, and other factors. Yet, limiting imaging capabilities to only those display terminals installed in the same facility as the host computer prevents the vast majority of realtors from using those capabilities.

In addition, there has heretofore been no capability to digitize images on a remote display terminal and transmit the resulting digital signal information on a real time, interactive basis to the host computer. The ability to add images of properties to the host computer database in real time on an interactive basis from remote display terminals would make the images available immediately after they are converted to digital form. In today's fast-moving and competitive real estate market, an agent must have immediate access to all available information about new property listings in order to serve his or her clients effectively. Providing remote terminals with the capability of adding images to the host database encourages the use of the system's imaging capability, but also creates additional problems relating to database integrity (e.g., accidental storing of images in connection with incorrect property listings, and servicing conflicting user requests regarding images for the same listing) which must be solved.

The present invention provides a highly advantageous system and method for storing, manipulating color images stored in a central "host" computer from a realtor's remote data terminal. Briefly, the host computer stores and maintains a database containing listings of real estate properties on the market. The host computer also optionally can store image information relating to specific properties. Images can be loaded from remote terminals over telephone lines to the host system on an interactive basis. Images can then be retrieved from the host system, also on an interactive basis, for display, printing, or storage on a storage medium associated with the remote display terminals. Images may also be deleted on an interactive basis from a remote terminal.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention thus allows users of IBM PCs (or other appropriately configured display terminals) with the appropriate software to access a photo file on the host system to add, delete, or retrieve and display photos corresponding to properties listed for sale.

The present invention provides the capability to transmit the photo data in either direction between the PDP-11 host and the display terminal in order to store photos in or retrieve photos from the host photo file. Photos may also be deleted from remote display terminals.

A specific communications protocol conveys image data between the host computer and remote data terminals. This protocol includes specific "time-out" limitations, CRC error checking schemes, and a specific "handshaking" signalling sequence that must be observed before the host system will permit manipulation of image files. In addition, the protocol is for "dial up" lines--so that standard telephone equipment and modums do not erroneously recognize protocol characters for control characters relevant to their own operation.

For example, to retrieve an image on the host computer, a remote terminal user telephones the host computer (via a conventional "modem" and landline communications path) and searches standard "multiple listing service" (MLS) listings in a standard manner. Once a specific listing of interest has been isolated, the user inputs a command ("PHO") through his terminal