AU2019101303A4 - User activity tracking device, method and system - Google Patents

Abstract

-21 A computer implemented method of listing an asset or a property for sale or lease is described. The method may comprise displaying a first set of information regarding the asset or the property, wherein the first set of information does not include at least one of: an address for the asset or property; or selling agent identification or contact details for the asset or property. The method may also comprise enabling a user to request the address; and/or identification or contact details. The method may additionally comprise upon receiving a request for the further information, displaying it to the user. The method may further comprise upon receiving the request, notifying an agent user associated with listing the property; or an agent user associated with the buyer. Additionally, the details of the request may be tracked. A computer implemented method of recording a sale or lease of an asset on a platform and a computer platform for listing a property are also disclosed. Display first set of information to user Receive request for further information, including property address Display further information, including property address Figure 1 108 110 3 Room House in Balwyn North 3 Bed 1 Bath Figure 2

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to a user activity tracking device, method and system. The invention has particular application to a platform for listing real estate for sale. However, the invention also has broader application to listing and/or selling other types of assets, such as vehicles.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION [0002] When selling a property, a vendor typically engages a real estate agent to put the property on the market. The real estate agent will prepare and implement a campaign for the property, including print and/or online advertising, and physical inspections. Interested buyers can contact the agent and make an offer, or an auction may be held at the end of the campaign to obtain the best price for the vendor.

[0003] However, in some cases, a vendor may wish to sell their property “off-market” that is, without a public advertising campaign. Reasons for this may vary - but off-market sales often occur where a vendor is looking for a quick sale, or when the vendor is a public figure and desires an additional level of anonymity.

[0004] For off-market sales, one issue is that the vendor and buyer (or their agents) need to be put in contact to effect the sale. This poses difficulties for buyers and sellers alike. Contact is typically reliant on real estate agents maintaining networks with each other and with their clients, so that they know what types of properties are being sought (by potential buyers), and know when a property is available off-market (by a vendor who may wish to avoid the expense, time and/or publicity associated with an advertising campaign). The offmarket process is, however, heavily reliant on real estate agents staying “in the loop.” [0005] Buyers, in particular, can be disadvantaged in many aspects of real estate sales. It is difficult for buyers to become aware of off-market opportunities on their own, and they are heavily reliant on their real estate agent keeping them abreast of opportunities. However, buyers may receive poor service from real estate agents, who predominately focus on vendors’ needs, to get properties sold.

[0006] On-market sales also have disadvantages to both vendors and buyers, under conventional marketing campaigns. For example, vendors are often expected to pay significant amounts up-front in advertising fees for a campaign. Buyers, on the other hand, are often inundated by hundreds of irrelevant listings automatically generated by real estate advertising portals.

2019101303 28 Oct 2019

-3 [0007] It is a preferred object of embodiments of the present invention to address or at least ameliorate one or more of the aforementioned problems of the prior art and/or provide a useful commercial alternative.

[0008] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0009] The present invention is directed to a user activity tracking device, method and system. The tracking may be in relation to a sale of an asset.

[0010] In a broad form, the invention relates a computer implemented method of listing or recording a sale or lease of an asset on a platform, the method comprising receiving details of a sale or listing from a first user, notifying at least one other user of the sale or listing.

[0011] In one form, although it need not be the only or indeed the broadest form, the invention resides in a computer implemented method of listing an asset or property for sale or lease on a platform, the method comprising:

displaying, to a user, a first set of information regarding the asset or property, wherein the first set of information does not include at least one of:

an address for the property or asset; or selling agent identification or contact details for the property or asset;

enabling a user to request further information regarding the property or asset, wherein the further information includes at least one of:

the address for the property or asset; or the selling agent identification or contact details for the property or asset;

upon receiving a request for the further information, displaying the further information to the user.

[0012] In preferred embodiments, neither address nor selling agent details are included in the first set of information. In preferred embodiments, both address and selling agent details are included in the further information.

[0013] Upon receiving the request for the further information, the method may further include notifying one or more other users of the request - for example, an agent user associated with listing the property (z.e. a selling agent) or an agent user associated with the buyer.

-42019101303 28 Oct 2019 [0014] Accordingly, this aspect of the invention enables a buyer to be able to access properties for sale, without requiring the seller to make full address details public in a traditional “on market” advertising campaign. It also keeps agents “in the loop”, and may allow them to manage levels of access to the information regarding the property.

[0015] The method may further include tracking details of the request. For example, the property may be recorded as a visited property associated with a user profile on the platform, and similarly the user may be recorded as a visiting user associated with the property listing. Accordingly, if the property is sold (e.g. to the user), the platform can be used to verify that the user enquired about the property using the platform. The tracking, user profile and proper listing may be stored in one or more database.

[0016] In another aspect of the invention, there is provided a computer implemented method of recording a sale or lease of an asset on a platform, the method comprising: receiving details of a sale from a first user;

notifying at least one other user of the sale; and enabling the at least one other user to confirm the details of the sale.

[0017] The asset may be a real estate property, although many other types of assets may be listed in different embodiments of the invention.

[0018] At least one of the users may be an agent user associated with listing the asset (z.e. a selling agent), who will have full details of the sale (and may be asked to provide full details to the platform, including the sale price).

[0019] The selling agent may only be charged a fee for listing the asset, upon confirmation of the sale (“no sale, no charge”). This reduces the up-front costs of selling the property, because advertising on the platform of the present invention may incur no charges, unless the asset is sold using the platform. This also means that there are fewer obstacles to listing the asset quickly, because there is no financial cost to listing the property unless the asset is sold.

[0020] At least one of the users may be an agent user associated with a buyer of the asset (e.g. an assist agent or buyer’s advocate presently assisting the buyer, or a referring agent who originally referred the buyer to the platform). The one or more agent associated with the buyer may be paid a portion of the listing fee for the asset, which provides them with an incentive to notify the platform of the sale. This also encourages agents to use the platform, keep listings up-to-date, and provide better service to buyers (for example, by referring them to the platform).

-5 2019101303 28 Oct 2019 [0021] The method may further include verifying that the buyer of the asset enquired about the asset listing on the platform. This may be accomplished by prompting the selling agent to identify the buyer. The selling agent may be presented with a list of buyers who have enquired about the asset (via the asset listing), and prompting the selling agent to select the correct buyer.

[0022] Each of the users may have a user profile on the platform. Each user profile may be configured to allow a user to receive notifications. For example, for a buyer, the profile may be configured to receive a notification when a property meeting the user’s selection criteria is listed. For a selling agent, the profile may be configured to receive a notification when a property listed by the seller is enquired about. For a buying agent, the profile may be configured to receive a notification when a buyer associated with the buying agent (e.g. a referred buyer) enquires about a property.

[0023] Other types of users may include finance brokers, accountants, lawyers, or platform administrators, any of whom may be involved in referring a buyer to the platform (and may, in some embodiments, be paid a portion of the listing fee for any asset bought by the buyer).

[0024] In another aspect of the invention, there is provided a computer platform for listing a property comprising:

at least one processor; and a memory in communication with the processor, the memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the platform to perform the method of any one of the previous aspects of the invention.

[0025] In another aspect of the invention, there is provided a computer platform for listing a property for sale on a platform, the method comprising:

means for displaying, to a user, a first set of information regarding the property, wherein the first set of information does not include a detail for the property;

means for enabling a user to request further information regarding the property, wherein the further information includes the detail for the property;

means for displaying the further information to the user, upon receiving a request for the further information.

[0026] In one embodiment, the detail may comprise the address for the property which may comprise real estate.

[0027] In another aspect of the invention, there is provided a computer platform for recording a sale of an asset on a platform, the method comprising:

-62019101303 28 Oct 2019 means for receiving details of a sale from a first user;

means for notifying at least one other user of the sale; and means for enabling the at least one other user to confirm the details of the sale.

[0028] Further aspects and/or features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0029] In order that the invention may be readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numbers refer to identical elements. The drawings are provided by way of example only, wherein:

[0030] Fig. 1 is a flow chart depicting a method of listing a property on a platform according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 2 is a screenshot taken from a user device, accessing a platform in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figures 3 to 5 are flow charts depicting methods of recording a sale on a platform, according to other embodiment(s) of the present invention.

[0033] Figures 6A and 6B are schematic diagrams showing an exemplar computer system for use in embodiments of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 7 is a flowchart of a method according to another embodiment of the invention.

[0035] Skilled addressees will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the relative dimensions of some elements in the drawings may be distorted to help improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0036] A computer platform (or computer “system”) according to the present invention may run on one or more computing devices, connected to a computer network such as the Internet. Users can access the platform using a variety of devices, including mobile computing devices such as tablets, laptops or mobile phones, or alternatively using other devices such as desktop computers. Further details regarding computing devices and networks suitable for use in the present invention are provided later in this specification.

2019101303 28 Oct 2019

-7[0037] While the computer platform of the present invention is described with reference to real estate and configured to facilitate listing of real estate properties, it is not so limited and may be used to facilitate listing and sale of other property. With respect to the real estate example, the users of the platform may include both real estate agents (either agency principals, or agent employees) looking to list their properties, and potential buyers looking to find suitable properties.

[0038] In accordance with this embodiment of the invention, the platform may utilise a database to store and access information. In particular, in this embodiment, the types of information stored in the database include user data (including user profiles) and property data (include property listings). Further details of the types of information stored in user profiles and property listings are provided below.

[0039] In particular, the platform may create a profile for each user accessing the system different users can be identified by unique identifiers (e.g. identification numbers, usernames or email addresses) and security for each profile may be provided through measures such as, password protection and/or user verification through a personal device (such as a mobile phone). The platform may provide specific functionality for different types of users, although some features (such as the ability to upload photographs) may be provided for all profile types. Similarly, all users may be able to search for listed properties using a variety of criteria, including location, number of bedrooms and/or bathrooms, price, land size or building size, parking facilities, and/or other various other features (including amenities such as swimming pools, fireplaces, air conditioning etc.}. Users may also search for properties using a map search function.

[0040] Of particular note, user activity may be tracked by the platform - including, for example, properties that they visit or enquire about, and other users they interact with. User activity information may be written to the database and associated with or stored in user profiles. Activity on each property may also be written to the database, and associated with or stored in property listings. This tracking information may generally be hidden from users, and only made accessible to particular users (e.g. platform administrators), or at particular stages of the process when displaying that tracking/activity information to particular users is appropriate.

[0041] In relation to buyers, these users may be provided with the ability to connect with their agents - in particular, one or more agent who may have referred them to the platform (a referring agent) or one or more agent/s who may be actively assisting them in finding or choosing the right property (an agent assist). In some embodiments, the buyer may be

-82019101303 28 Oct 2019 required to select an agent assist when signing up to the platform. The referring agent and the agent assist may be the same agent, or may be different agents.

[0042] Buyers may configure settings in their profile based on the type of property they are looking for. Settings may include some or all of the search criteria discussed above, i.e. location, number of bedrooms and/or bathrooms, price, land size or building size, parking facilities, and/or other various other features (including amenities such as swimming pools, fireplaces, air conditioning etc). A buyer may set the profile to receive notifications (or alerts) for relevant events, including when new properties are listed on the platform which meet their criteria. Notifications may be sent using any of various communication methods, including email, SMS, or on a platform-specific messaging system (e.g. an app used by the user to access the platform).

[0043] In some embodiments, a buyer may configure settings in their profile based on a specific property address, so that they are notified if and when that specific address is listed on the platform.

[0044] In relation to agents, agent profiles may be configured to connect with not only buyers (as referring or assisting agents), but also other agents. For example, an agency principal may wish to connect with agents employed at their real estate agency.

[0045] Agents and agencies may also be provided with publicly accessible profile pages which can be branded with logos, company contact information or other customisable display features.

[0046] Agents may configure settings in their profile to receive notifications/alerts in different circumstances - for example, a selling agent may be notified if a property they are listing is viewed; an agent associated with a buyer (either referring agent or agent assist) may be notified if that buyer views a property. As previously described, notifications may be sent using any of various communication methods, including email, SMS, or on a platform-specific messaging system. For example, a user may use an app to access the platform, and notifications may be pushed to the user through the app (instead of or in addition to notifications received inside a browser dashboard, or via email or SMS).

[0047] Agent profiles may also have a rating associated with them. Ratings may be achieved based on different criteria in different embodiments, depending on the particular aims of the platform. For example, agents may be rated based on activity (number of properties listed or sold, percentage of listed properties sold using the platform, or number of buyers referred/assisted), which may incentivise them to use the platform more often. Alternatively, agents may be rated based on feedback from other users.

-92019101303 28 Oct 2019 [0048] In this embodiment, agents are able to upload properties immediately they receive details from a vendor (seller). A property listing may include features such as number of bedrooms and/or bathrooms, price, land size, building size, parking facilities, and/or other various other features (including amenities such as swimming pools, fireplaces, air conditioning etc. The listing may also include a specific address for the property, as well as photographs of the property (inside and/or outside).

[0049] However, of particular note, the platform of this embodiment of the present invention is intended for use with properties that are listed “off market” - in the sense that the does not wish to engage in a public advertising campaign for the property, and may therefore wish to keep address details private.

[0050] Accordingly, when a property listing is viewed (e.g. by a buyer), only a first (limited) set of information may be displayed, as shown in the flow chart of Figure 1. Different platforms may be configured to display a different level of detail (e.g. price, number of bedrooms, general location or suburb, internal photographs etc.). However, the address will not be included in this first set of information. Figure 2 depicts a screenshot from a user display, showing a first set of information displayed for a property - in this case a photograph 102, number of bedrooms 104, number of bathrooms 106, and a general location 108. Other features such as number of car spaces, property type (townhouse, apartment etc), land size, price range etc may also be displayed, although the first set of information will not include address details for the property.

[0051] An “Enquire” or “Unlock” button 110 is also displayed with the listing, as shown in Figure 2. By clicking on that button, the user is able to request further information regarding the property - which may include additional photographs, for example, but will also include the address of the property. Upon receiving this request (when the “Enquire” button 110 is pressed), the user may be displayed additional information about the property - including further photos, and an address of the property.

[0052] In this embodiment, when the “Enquire” button 110 is pressed by a potential buyer, the platform also sends a notification to the selling agent, with details of the buyer to allow the selling agent to contact the buyer. Similarly, if the listing includes details of the selling agent, so that the buyer and agent can be put in contact (if the buyer has genuine interest), to facilitate a sale of the property.

[0053] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when a user presses the “Enquire” button, this activity is tracked by associating the user with the property listing - the property may be recorded as a visited property on the user’s profile, and the user may be recorded as a

-102019101303 28 Oct 2019 visiting user on the property listing (although this information may only be available to a system administrator, and/or the selling agent). This user profile and tracking may be stored in one or more database.

[0054] In this embodiment, the platform is not integrated into the transaction itself, i.e. selling the property (although in other embodiments, the platform may be used to generate sale contracts, transmit forms to relevant authorities etc.}. Accordingly, when a property is sold, in this embodiment, details of the sale are uploaded to the platform. This means that the platform can operate on a “no sale, no charge” model. Accordingly, by uploading the sale price to the platform, this can provide a basis for: (i) the selling agent’s fee for listing the property on the platform, and (ii) fee(s) paid to agent(s) associated with the buyer which may be either or both of a referring agent (or other referring user) and an agent assist.

[0055] To effect this, it is important that parties on both sides of the transaction confirm details of the sale. Accordingly, this embodiment of the present invention enables any user (on either the buying or selling side of the transaction) to report the transaction, and then other user(s) can confirm the sale and/or add details. Figures 3 to 5 depict different procedures for confirming a sale, or “closing the loop” depending on whether the sale is reported by: (i) an agent associated with the buyer - Figure 3; (ii) the selling agent - Figure 4; or (iii) another user, e.g. a buyer or a platform administrator - Figure 5.

[0056] Referring to Figure 3, an agent assist (or referring agent) may become aware that a buyer they represent has purchased a property they visited on the platform. These agents may be incentivised to report the sale on the platform, in that they may receive a portion of the fee paid by the selling agent upon sale, as a “commission” for referring or assisting the buyer. The reporting process may be as simple as clicking a button on-screen, when viewing a property listing (although a verification step may be required to avoid accidental notifications). However, various other notification options may also be provided, in different user interfaces - for example, a dedicated menu option may be provided allowing a user to select a “report a sale” option, and be directed through a series of steps to input details of the sale. However, it should be noted that sale price details may not be known to the agent assist (or referring agent), and so a simple notification of sale may be sufficient to trigger the platform to seek confirmation from other users.

[0057] When an agent assist notifies the platform of the sale, the platform may direct a message to the selling agent, notifying them of the sale, and requesting confirmation. If the notification from the agent assist included full details, and the sale has been completed, the

-11 2019101303 28 Oct 2019 selling agent may simply confirm the transaction details (e.g. by clicking a “confirm” button on-screen). Alternatively, if details (such as sale price) are missing from the original sale notification, the selling agent may be required to enter these before proceeding to confirm the sale. The agent assist (and/or referring agent) may then also be notified, and requested to confirm those details.

[0058] The selling agent may be prompted to identify the buyer of the property, during the confirmation process. The selling agent may be presented with a list of buyers who have enquired about the asset (via the asset listing), and asked to select the correct buyer. This helps to verify that the buyer utilised the platform to enquire about the property.

[0059] In some cases, the property may be under contract, but settlement may not have occurred. In that case, the selling agent may notify the platform that the property is only “under contract”, and the platform may diarise to remind the selling agent after a set period of time (e.g. 3 weeks), to confirm whether the transaction has been completed.

[0060] Once the sale has been confirmed, the listing may be removed and any fees payable by the selling agent, and any commissions received by the referring agent/agent assist, may be calculated, and payment arranged.

[0061] In another example, as shown in Figure 4, a selling agent may notify the platform of the sale - for example, to comply with contractual obligations, and/or when prompted at the time of removing the listing from the platform. In this case, the selling agent may access the property listing and change its status - for example, to sold, or to “under contract”. The selling agent may also be required to enter details of the sale (for example, the sale price, the buyer, and/or the date of sale). In one optional verification check, the platform may confirm that the buyer visited the property listing on the platform, by checking whether the property is listed as a visited property on the buyer profile, or the buyer is listed as a visiting buyer on the property listing.

[0062] Again, if the selling agent indicates that the property is only under contract, they may be reminded after a set period to confirm whether the transaction has been completed.

[0063] Once the selling agent has entered details of the sale, an agent (agent assist) associated with the buyer is notified, and asked to confirm the details entered by the selling agent.

[0064] Alternatively, another user such as a buyer (as shown in Figure 5) or a platform administrator may update a property to notify the platform of a sale. In one scenario, a platform administrator may independently become aware that a property listed on the platform has been sold - for example, by obtaining sales data from another source such as

- 122019101303 28 Oct 2019 an external real estate database or other external database. They may also be able to verify whether the actual buyer of the property visited the property listing on the platform. Regardless, for a variety of reasons, any other user may wish to notify the platform that a particular property has been sold.

[0065] In this case, the selling agent may be the first agent notified, and they may be requested to confirm details of the sale as shown in Figure 5. The selling agent should be in position to provide full details of the sale, including sale price, if the transaction has been completed. Again, the selling agent may be given the opportunity to simply indicate that the property is “under contract”, and reminded by the platform after a set period of time.

[0066] Once the selling agent has confirmed the details of the transaction, the agent assist may be notified and requested to confirm that the transaction details are correct. Again, once all parties have confirmed details of the transaction, payment of fees from the selling agent and commission to the agent assist and/or referring agent may be arranged.

[0067] The property listing can be withdrawn from the platform once the selling agent confirms that the property has been sold, through any of the above processes. In some cases, the selling agent may confirm that the property has been sold, but was not sold using the platform. In that case, the property listing may simply be removed without confirmation from other users, although a warning may be displayed to the selling agent to avoid abuse of any “no sale, no charge” model used by the platform.

[0068] If confirmation is not received by either the selling agent or the agent assist, the platform may facilitate dispute resolution procedures to resolve any conflict between the positions of the agents.

[0069] This embodiment of the present invention provides advantages to:

• Buyers, by providing access to off-market properties, and also by proactively delivering solutions to them to locate desirable properties - they can become “first to know” about a particular property;

• Sellers, by decreasing the cost of advertising to sell their home, and not requiring up-front charges; and • Agents, by enabling them to provide a “no sale no charge” advertising model to the industry; assisting them to create a systematised database of buyers associated with them; and offering an efficient and organised approach for agents to contacting buyers to ensure they are always “kept in the loop” about off-market properties.

- 13 2019101303 28 Oct 2019 [0070] Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating another method according to the invention. This flowchart illustrates a general procedure to be followed when a property is under contract; reported as sold; and withdrawn.

[0071] The platform of the present invention may be accessed using a mobile computing device such as a smart phone or tablet computer running a specific app. Selling agents may directly and simply upload off-market listings from their phone - in some cases, even while at an appraisal meeting with the vendor; and buyers may also be notified immediately. The selling agent can do this without even incurring any upfront fees for listing the property, and these savings may be passed through to sellers.

[0072] One embodiment of a computing device 200 suitable for use in the present invention is shown in Figs. 6A and 6B. In the embodiment shown, computing device 200 comprises a computer module 201 comprising input devices such as a keyboard 202, a mouse pointer device 203, a scanner 226, an external hard drive 227, and a microphone 280; and output devices including a printer 215, a display device 214 and loudspeakers 217. In some embodiments video display 214 may comprise a touchscreen.

[0073] A Modulator-Demodulator (Modem) transceiver device 216 may be used by the computer module 201 for communicating to and from a communications network 220 via a connection 221. The network 220 may be a wide-area network (WAN), such as the Internet, a cellular telecommunications network, or a private WAN. Through the network 220, computer module 201 may be connected to other similar personal devices 290 or server computers 291. Where the connection 221 is a telephone line, the modem 216 may be a traditional “dial-up” modem. Alternatively, where the connection 221 is a high capacity (e.g.: cable) connection, the modem 216 may be a broadband modem. A wireless modem may also be used for wireless connection to network 220.

[0074] The computer module 201 typically includes at least one processor 205, and a memory 206 for example formed from semiconductor random access memory (RAM) and semiconductor read only memory (ROM). The module 201 also includes a number of input/output (I/O) interfaces including: an audio-video interface 207 that couples to the video display 214, loudspeakers 217 and microphone 280; an I/O interface 213 for the keyboard 202, mouse 203, scanner 226 and external hard drive 227; and an interface 208 for the external modem 216 and printer 215. In some implementations, modem 216 may be incorporated within the computer module 201, for example within the interface 208. The computer module 201 also has a local network interface 211 which, via a connection 223,

- 142019101303 28 Oct 2019 permits coupling of the personal device 200 to a local computer network 222, known as a Local Area Network (LAN).

[0075] As also illustrated, the local network 222 may also couple to the wide network 220 via a connection 224, which would typically include a so-called “firewall” device or device of similar functionality. The interface 211 may be formed by an Ethernet circuit card, a Bluetooth wireless arrangement or an IEEE 802.11 wireless arrangement or other suitable interface.

[0076] The I/O interfaces 208 and 213 may afford either or both of serial and parallel connectivity, the former typically being implemented according to the Universal Serial Bus (USB) standards and having corresponding USB connectors (not illustrated).

[0077] Storage devices 209 are provided and typically include a hard disk drive (HDD) 210. Other storage devices such as, an external HD 227, a disk drive (not shown) and a magnetic tape drive (not shown) may also be used. An optical disk drive 212 is typically provided to act as a non-volatile source of data. Portable memory devices, such as optical disks (e.g.: CD-ROM, DVD, Blu-Ray Disc), USB-RAM, external hard drives and floppy disks for example, may be used as appropriate sources of data to the personal device 200. Another source of data to personal device 200 is provided by the at least one server computer 291 through network 220.

[0078] The components 205 to 213 of the computer module 201 typically communicate via an interconnected bus 204 in a manner that results in a conventional mode of operation of personal device 200. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, processor 205 is coupled to system bus 204 through connections 218. Similarly, memory 206 and optical disk drive 212 are coupled to the system bus 204 by connections 219. Examples of personal devices 200 on which the described arrangements can be practised include IBMPC's and compatibles, Sun Sparc stations, Apple computers; smart phones; tablet computers or a like device comprising a computer module like computer module 201. It is to be understood that when personal device 200 comprises a smart phone or a tablet computer, display device 214 may comprise a touchscreen and other input and output devices may not be included such as, mouse pointer device 203; keyboard 202; scanner 226; and printer 215.

[0079] Fig. 6B is a detailed schematic block diagram of processor 205 and a memory 234. The memory 234 represents a logical aggregation of all the memory modules, including the storage device 209 and semiconductor memory 206, which can be accessed by the computer module 201 in Fig. 6A.

- 15 2019101303 28 Oct 2019 [0080] The methods of the invention may be implemented using personal device 200 wherein the methods may be implemented as one or more software application programs 233 executable within computer module 201. In particular, the steps of the methods of the invention may be effected by instructions 231 in the software carried out within the computer module 201 [0081] The software instructions 231 may be formed as one or more code modules, each for performing one or more tasks. The software 233 may also be divided into two separate parts, in which a first part and the corresponding code modules performs the method of the invention and a second part and the corresponding code modules manage a graphical user interface between the first part and the user.

[0082] The software 233 may be stored in a computer readable medium, including in a storage device of a type described herein. The software is loaded into the personal device 200 from the computer readable medium or through network 221 or 223, and then executed by personal device 200. In one example the software 233 is stored on storage medium 225 that is read by optical disk drive 212. Software 233 is typically stored in the HDD 210 or the memory 206.

[0083] A computer readable medium having such software 233 or computer program recorded on it is a computer program product. The use of the computer program product in the personal device 200 preferably effects a device or apparatus for implementing the methods of the invention.

[0084] In some instances, the software application programs 233 may be supplied to the user encoded on one or more disk storage medium 225 such as a CD-ROM, DVD or BluRay disc, and read via the corresponding drive 212, or alternatively may be read by the user from the networks 220 or 222. Still further, the software can also be loaded into the personal device 200 from other computer readable media. Computer readable storage media refers to any non-transitory tangible storage medium that provides recorded instructions and/or data to the computer module 201 or personal device 200 for execution and/or processing. Examples of such storage media include floppy disks, magnetic tape, CD-ROM, DVD, Blu-ray Disc, a hard disk drive, a ROM or integrated circuit, USB memory, a magneto-optical disk, or a computer readable card such as a PCMCIA card and the like, whether or not such devices are internal or external of the computer module 201. Examples of transitory or non-tangible computer readable transmission media that may also participate in the provision of software application programs 233, instructions 231 and/or data to the computer module 201 include radio or infra-red transmission channels as

- 162019101303 28 Oct 2019 well as a network connection 221, 223, 334, to another computer or networked device 290, 291 and the Internet or an Intranet including email transmissions and information recorded on Websites and the like.

[0085] The second part of the application programs 233 and the corresponding code modules mentioned above may be executed to implement one or more graphical user interfaces (GUIs) to be rendered or otherwise represented upon display 214. Through manipulation of, typically, keyboard 202, mouse 203 and/or screen 214 when comprising a touchscreen, a user of personal device 200 and the methods of the invention may manipulate the interface in a functionally adaptable manner to provide controlling commands and/or input to the applications associated with the GUI(s). Other forms of functionally adaptable user interfaces may also be implemented, such as an audio interface utilizing speech prompts output via loudspeakers 217 and user voice commands input via microphone 280. The manipulations including mouse clicks, screen touches, speech prompts and/or user voice commands may be transmitted via network 220 or 222.

[0086] When the computer module 201 is initially powered up, a power-on self-test (POST) program 250 may execute. The POST program 250 is typically stored in a ROM 249 of the semiconductor memory 206. A hardware device such as the ROM 249 is sometimes referred to as firmware. The POST program 250 examines hardware within the computer module 201 to ensure proper functioning, and typically checks processor 205, memory 234 (209, 206), and a basic input-output systems software (BIOS) module 251, also typically stored in ROM 249, for correct operation. Once the POST program 250 has run successfully, BIOS 251 activates hard disk drive 210. Activation of hard disk drive 210 causes a bootstrap loader program 252 that is resident on hard disk drive 210 to execute via processor 205. This loads an operating system 253 into RAM memory 206 upon which operating system 253 commences operation. Operating system 253 is a system level application, executable by processor 205, to fulfil various high level functions, including processor management, memory management, device management, storage management, software application interface, and generic user interface.

[0087] Operating system 253 manages memory 234 (209, 206) in order to ensure that each process or application running on computer module 201 has sufficient memory in which to execute without colliding with memory allocated to another process. Furthermore, the different types of memory available in the personal device 200 must be used properly so that each process can run effectively. Accordingly, the aggregated memory 234 is not intended to illustrate how particular segments of memory are allocated,

- 172019101303 28 Oct 2019 but rather to provide a general view of the memory accessible by computer module 201 and how such is used.

[0088] Processor 205 includes a number of functional modules including a control unit 239, an arithmetic logic unit (ALU) 240, and a local or internal memory 248, sometimes called a cache memory. The cache memory 248 typically includes a number of storage registers 244, 245, 246 in a register section storing data 247. One or more internal busses 241 functionally interconnect these functional modules. The processor 205 typically also has one or more interfaces 242 for communicating with external devices via the system bus 204, using a connection 218. The memory 234 is connected to the bus 204 by connection 219.

[0089] Application program 233 includes a sequence of instructions 231 that may include conditional branch and loop instructions. Program 233 may also include data 232 which is used in execution of the program 233. The instructions 231 and the data 232 are stored in memory locations 228, 229, 230 and 235, 236, 237, respectively. Depending upon the relative size of the instructions 231 and the memory locations 228-230, a particular instruction may be stored in a single memory location as depicted by the instruction shown in the memory location 230. Alternately, an instruction may be segmented into a number of parts each of which is stored in a separate memory location, as depicted by the instruction segments shown in the memory locations 228 and 229.

[0090] In general, processor 205 is given a set of instructions 243 which are executed therein. The processor 205 then waits for a subsequent input, to which processor 205 reacts by executing another set of instructions. Each input may be provided from one or more of a number of sources, including data generated by one or more of the input devices 202, 203, or 214 when comprising a touchscreen, data received from an external source across one of the networks 220, 222, data retrieved from one of the storage devices 206, 209 or data retrieved from a storage medium 225 inserted into the corresponding reader 212. The execution of a set of the instructions may in some cases result in output of data. Execution may also involve storing data or variables to the memory 234.

[0091] The disclosed arrangements use input variables 254 that are stored in the memory 234 in corresponding memory locations 255, 256, 257, 258. The described arrangements produce output variables 261 that are stored in the memory 234 in corresponding memory locations 262, 263, 264, 265. Intermediate variables 268 may be stored in memory locations 259, 260, 266 and 267.

- 18 2019101303 28 Oct 2019 [0092] The register section 244, 245, 246, the arithmetic logic unit (ALU) 240, and the control unit 239 of the processor 205 work together to perform sequences of microoperations needed to perform “fetch, decode, and execute” cycles for every instruction in the instruction set making up the program 233. Each fetch, decode, and execute cycle comprises:

(a) a fetch operation, which fetches or reads an instruction 231 from memory location 228, 229, 230;

(b) a decode operation in which control unit 239 determines which instruction has been fetched; and (c) an execute operation in which the control unit 239 and/or the ALU 240 execute the instruction.

[0093] Thereafter, a further fetch, decode, and execute cycle for the next instruction may be executed. Similarly, a store cycle may be performed by which the control unit 239 stores or writes a value to a memory location 232.

[0094] Each step or sub-process in the methods of the invention may be associated with one or more segments of the program 233, and may be performed by register section 244246, the ALU 240, and the control unit 239 in the processor 205 working together to perform the fetch, decode, and execute cycles for every instruction in the instruction set for the noted segments of program 233.

[0095] One or more other computers 290 may be connected to the communications network 220 as seen in Fig. 6A. Each such computer 290 may have a similar configuration to the computer module 201 and corresponding peripherals.

[0096] One or more other server computer 291 may be connected to the communications network 220. These server computers 291 respond to requests from the personal device or other server computers to provide information.

[0097] The methods of the invention may alternatively be implemented in dedicated hardware such as one or more integrated circuits performing the functions or sub functions of the described methods. Such dedicated hardware may include graphic processors, digital signal processors, or one or more microprocessors and associated memories.

[0098] It will be understood that in order to practice the methods of the invention as described above, it is not necessary that the processors and/or the memories of the processing machine be physically located in the same geographical place. That is, each of the processors and the memories used in the invention may be located in geographically distinct locations and connected so as to communicate in any suitable manner.

- 192019101303 28 Oct 2019

Additionally, it will be understood that each of the processor and/or the memory may be composed of different physical pieces of equipment. Accordingly, it is not necessary that a processor be one single piece of equipment in one location and that the memory be another single piece of equipment in another location. That is, it is contemplated that the processor may be two pieces of equipment in two different physical locations. The two distinct pieces of equipment may be connected in any suitable manner. Additionally, the memory may include two or more portions of memory in two or more physical locations.

[0099] To explain further, processing as described above is performed by various components and various memories. It will be understood, however, that the processing performed by two distinct components as described above may, in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention be performed by a single component. Further, the processing performed by one distinct component as described above may be performed by two distinct components. In a similar manner, the memory storage performed by two distinct memory portions as described above may, in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention, be performed by a single memory portion. Further, the memory storage performed by one distinct memory portion as described above may be performed by two memory portions.

[00100] Further, various technologies may be used to provide communication between the various processors and/or memories, as well as to allow the processors and/or the memories of the invention to communicate with any other entity, i.e., so as to obtain further instructions or to access and use remote memory stores, for example. Such technologies used to provide such communication might include a network, the Internet, Intranet, Extranet, LAN, an Ethernet, a telecommunications network (e.g., a cellular or wireless network) or any client server system that provides communication, for example. Such communications technologies may use any suitable protocol such as TCP/IP, UDP, or OSI, for example.

[00101] In this specification, the terms “comprises”, “comprising” or similar terms are intended to mean a non-exclusive inclusion, such that an apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include those elements solely, but may well include other elements not listed.

[00102] Throughout the specification the aim has been to describe the invention without limiting the invention to any one embodiment or specific collection of features. Persons skilled in the relevant art may realize variations from the specific embodiments that will nonetheless fall within the scope of the invention.

Claims (5)

1. A computer implemented method of listing an asset or a property for sale or lease, the method comprising:

displaying, to a user, a first set of information regarding the asset or the property, wherein the first set of information does not include at least one of:

an address for the asset or property; or selling agent identification or contact details for the asset or property, enabling a user to request further information regarding the asset or property, wherein the further information includes at least one of:

the address for the asset or property; or the selling agent identification or contact details for the asset or property, upon receiving a request for the further information, displaying the further information to the user.

2. The computer implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

upon receiving the request for the further information, notifying one or more other users of the request.

3. The computer implemented method of Claim 1 or Claim 2, further comprising: tracking details of the request.

4. A computer implemented method of recording a sale or lease of an asset on a platform, the method comprising:

receiving details of a sale from a first user;

notifying at least one other user of the sale; and enabling the at least one other user to confirm the details of the sale.

5. A computer platform for listing a property comprising:

at least one processor; and a memory in communication with the processor, the memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the platform to perform the method of any claims 1 to 4.