GB2395028A

GB2395028A - Computer databases and associated extraction methods

Info

Publication number: GB2395028A
Application number: GB0225714A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Neil Hofton; Robert Rudd
Original assignee: FREELINE COMM Ltd
Current assignee: FREELINE COMM Ltd
Priority date: 2002-11-05
Filing date: 2002-11-05
Publication date: 2004-05-12
Also published as: GB0225714D0

Abstract

A method of obtaining information from a computer database containing a plurality of data items, each data item being associated with a geographical location identified by a telephone area code, the method comprising generating an information request including a location parameter, and using the area codes to extract from the database those data items whose associated geographical locations fall within the location parameter specified in the request.

Description

Title: Computer Databases and Associated Extraction Methods Description of

Invention

5 This invention relates, in broad terms, to the general field of computer I

databases and relates, more particularly, to allied systems and methods that facilitate exkaction of data therefrom. In a specialized and preferred embodiment, the invention finds application in the field of telephone-based

information retrieval such as may be utilised in commercial environments, to 10 facilitate the disposal, sale and purchase of items of commerce.

Background to the Invention and Summarv of the Prior Art

The prior art relating to this invention is perhaps best described with

reference to currently-available commercial systems by which articles of commerce are advertised, with a view to their later disposal, sale or purchase.

IS By way of example, the process of buying and selling used motor vehicles, such as cars, throughout the world has remained largely unchanged since the first such vehicles were introduced. This process relies heavily upon the use of print media and whilst the Internet has given rise to other opportunities in this area, print media remains the most important means by 20 which such things are advertised.

Whilst the use of such media is widespread, it does suffer from a number of drawbacks, which conveniently can be divided into problems experienced by sellers and potential purchasers.

Insofar as the seller is concerned, difficulties may be experienced not 25 only in designing the print-based advertisement itself but also in complying with publication deadlines and non-user friendly payment techniques.

Moreover, the amount of information that can be conveyed in a (typically rather small) printed advertisement is severely limited, with it also being unusual for

( any provision to be made whereby a proof copy of the advertisement can be viewed, prior to actual publication.

Insofar as a potential purchaser is concerned, the typically weekly frequency with which appropriate publications become available can often be 5 limiting, with the limited amount of information being contained within a potentially relevant advertisement also giving rise to problems, in that the purchaser may not be able to decide whether or not the car is actually relevant, in relation to what is being sought.

Whilst web-based approaches have also been proposed (see, for 10 example, www.autotrader.co.uk and www.exchangeandmart.co.uk), a desire l exists for an alternative approach which at least alleviates some of the drawbacks discussed above.

Summary of the Invention

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is 15 provided a method of obtaining information from a computer database containing a plurality of data items, each data item being associated with a geographical location identified by a telephone area code, the method comprising generating an information request including a location parameter, and using the area codes to extract from the database those data items whose 20 associated geographical locations fall within the location parameter specified in the request.

The location parameter may comprise a distance.

A geographical location associated with the requester may be identified by a telephone area code included in the request.

25 The distances between the requestor's geographical location and those of the data items may be calculated on the basis of the distances between the actual geographic areas to which the respective area codes relate.

The location parameter may be expressed, in the request, as a geographical region, the method comprising accessing an area code/region data

store and identifying those area codes that relate to the specified geographical region. The information request may be conveyed telephonically towards the database. 5 The information request may be generated, at least in part, using DTMF tones. The information request may be generated, at least in part, in response to prompts generated using an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is 10 provided a system for providing information from a computer database containing a plurality of data items, each data item being associated with a geographical location identified by a telephone area code, the system comprising an input element operative to receive information requests having a location parameter, a processing element operative to process said requests, a 15 data extraction element operative to extract, from the database, data items whose associated geographical locations fall within the location parameter specified in the request, and an output element operative to convey information relating to the extracted data items to an information requester.

Preferably, the output element is operative to convey the information 20 telephonically. The system may comprise a prompt generation element operative to prompt the requester to provide the information request using an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system.

In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, there is 25 provided a system for facilitating the disposal of an item of commerce, comprising associating each of a plurality of said items of commerce with a geographical location from which said items are available, the geographical locations being identified by telephone area codes, and using the area codes, in response to an information request including a location parameter, to provide

information relating to items of commerce whose geographical locations fall within the location parameter of the request.

5 The information request may specify a maximum distance that the requester is willing to travel in order to view an item of commerce, with the system conveniently providing information to the requester that relates to items of commerce located no further from the requester than said maximum distance. 10 In accordance with a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is I provided a telephone-accessible database system containing a plurality of data items each relating to an available item of commerce, the data items each being associated with a geographical location from which the respective items of commerce are available, the geographical locations being identified by a 15 telephone area code and wherein the database system is operative, in response to a telephoned information request including a location parameter, to use the telephone area codes to identify which of said plurality of items of commerce are available at a geographical location falling within said location parameter.

The invention, in its various aspects, may include one or more of the features 20 set out in the preceding paragraphs.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Specific and non-limiting embodiments of the invention will now be described, strictly by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: 25 FIGURE l_ illustrates, in schematic form, the actual geographical areas corresponding to telephone area codes in Birmingham, United Kingdom and adjacent area codes; FIGURE l_ is a similar illustration, showing London area codes and area codes adjacent thereto;

FIGURE 2 is a schematic illustration showing the relationships between the various elements involved in the operation of the present invention; FIGURE 3 is a schematic illustration of a computer database of the type utilised in the preferred embodiments; 5 FIGURE 4 illustrates, in a flowdiagram manner, the principal steps involved in registering a motor vehicle for sale, using the present system; and FIGURE 5 illustrates, in a flow-diagram manner, the principal steps involved in searching for a particular type of vehicle, with a view to a possible purchase thereof.

10 Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments and Best Mode of the l

Invention By way of introduction to the preferred embodiments, it will be

understood that the telephone communication systems of most - if not all industrialised countries rely upon the use of telephone area codes (also known 15 as dialling codes or STD codes [Subscriber Trunk Dialling]), which constitute a prefix to the main number being called, and which are used to direct calls to an appropriate geographical location, by routing the calls through the appropriate local exchange. In the United Kingdom, these codes generally commence with the digits 01 or 02, with the overall area codes normally consisting of four or 20 five digits, in total. Thus, for example, the telephone area code for Birmingham is 0121, whereas the area code for central London is 0207, with the outer London area code being 0208.

Although the geographical areas corresponding to the telephone areas codes are not always precisely demarcated, a good correlation can be drawn 25 between the two, in that it is possible to identify, with a fair degree of accuracy, the actual geographical areas to which the STD codes correspond. Thus, it is possible, using information available from OFTEL (The Office of Telecommunications), to correlate STD codes with the latitude and longitude (and indeed, National Grid Reference) of the geographical areas served thereby.

( This is shown, in schematic form, in Figures 1_ and lb, which illustrate the approximate geographical areas served by the Birmingham and London telephone area codes, together with their surrounding regions. As will thus be appreciated, it is also possible to calculate the approximate distances between 5 geographical areas having different telephone area codes, using this information. Looking at the Birmingham (0121) area code, it is possible to state that the Wolverhampton (01902) area lies about 24 kilometres to the North West of the cenke of the 0121 area, whereas the Tamworth (01827) area lies approximately 25 kilometres to the North East. As mentioned above, the raw 10 data from which such distances can be obtained is freely available (see l www.bt. com/localarea/index/jsp & www.warwick.ac.uk./cgi/bin- Phones/nng) and it is thus possible to build up a country-wide database containing most (if not all) of the country's telephone area codes and their corresponding geographical locations, whereby the distance between regions served by any 15 two telephone area dialling codes can be calculated. It will understood, in this regard, that whilst there may be limitations on the degree of accuracy to which these distances can be calculated, a perfectly satisfactory approximation can be obtained which, in the case of the preferred embodiment described herein, is entirely adequate.

20 Whilst the applicants envisage that the present invention will find application in a wide variety of scenarios, the currently-preferred embodiment centres around a telephone-based system for advertising, selling and purchasing cars and other types of motor vehicle, together with vehicle-related products and services. Specifically, the preferred embodiment relates to a semi 25 automated procedure and apparatus by which sellers may easily advertise a vehicle for sale and by which purchasers may readily obtain details of potentially-atkactive vehicles, within a specified geographical area or within a specified distance from the purchaser.

( ( Referring to Figure 2, this shows, in schematic form, the principal elements involved in this specific embodiment, by which a vehicle may be advertised and sold, using a telephone-based system.

In essence, the elements comprise a telephone-accessible database 10 in 5 which, as will be described hereinafter, is contained information relating to available vehicles, such as their characteristics, selling price and an indication of their geographical location. The telephone- accessible database 10 is in bi-

directional data transfer communication with an area code/region data store 11 (see Figure 3 for more detail) and in uni-directional Internet communication 10 with an associated website 12, with which information contained within the database 10 may be conveyed to a user of the system, via a suitable web browser application.

A seller 13, desirous of advertising a vehicle for sale, is able to make contact with the database 10 via a telephonic link 14, with a buyer 15 being 15 able to make similar contact via a telephonic connection 16. As indicated previously, both the seller 13 and buyer 15 may also, under some circumstances, access the website 12, if Internet access is available. Whilst it is not material to the present invention, it is envisaged, by the applicants, that the seller's telephonic connection 14 could be by way of a so-called premium rate 20 telephone line, with revenue from the seller's call constituting the seller's payment for the service concerned. It will be understood, in that regard, that this payment method is inherently simple, in that the charge will appear on the seller's telephone bill at a later date. No credit card usage, cheques or cash transfers are thus required. On the other hand, it is envisaged that the buyer's 25 telephonic connection 16 could be by way of a "freephone" or reduced rate call, thus making the service more attractive to buyers, bearing in mind that, prior to initiation of the call, the buyer will be uncertain of whether any of the vehicles contained within the database 10 will actually be of any interest.

Referring next to Figure 3, this shows, in a somewhat simplified form, the contents of the area code/region data store 11, which in this example is limited to coverage of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

The data store 11 contains data fields 20, 21 and 22 which correspond,

5 respectively, to a UK region, the geographical areas included in the region and the STD (telephone dialling) codes to which the geographical areas relate. It will thus be understood that the data store 11 enables relationships to be formed not only between geographical areas and their STD codes but also between broader regions and the STD codes of the areas included therein. Whilst not 10 illustrated in Figure 3, the data store 11 may also contain data relating to the actual geographical positions of the areas contained within the field 21, so that

distances between the various areas can be calculated.

Use of the system, from the perspective of a potential seller of a motor vehicle, is as follows, reference now being made to Figure 4.

15 The seller initiates a registration process by dialling a premium rate telephone line (step 40) to access a database gateway 41. At this point, the seller is asked, by way of a pre-recorded message or Interactive Voice Response (IVR) prompt, whether the seller wishes to make a private sale or whether the seller is a commercial dealer and is thus interested in a multiple 20 sale option. The seller then responds, either using DTMF tones generated from a telephone keypad or by uttering a response, with the system then directing the seller to a dealer-based system (42) or continuing with a "private sale" option, to allow a data gathering process 43 to commence. Using the voice prompt system shown generally at 44, the seller is then asked to provide comprehensive 25 details on the vehicle to be sold, together with a contact telephone number including full STD (area) code to enable the geographical location of the seller to be established by use of the area code/region data store 11 (see Figure 3) . To assist the seller in providing a full and accurate description of the vehicle, use

may be made of a vehicle specification database containing details of all

( vehicles manufactured in the past 50 years, for example. In this way, once a seller has indicated the manufacturer of the vehicle concerned, the vehicle specification database may be operative to give the seller an audible list of

options, insofar as the model, type and age of the vehicle is concerned. Insofar 5 as the selling price is concerned, this may be input using DTMF tones, with use of a "#" key indicating "or near offer" so that potential purchasers can be advised of a degree of flexibility in the offer price.

As will be appreciated, knowledge of the seller's full contact telephone number, in conjunction with the area code/region data store 11, enables the 10 geographical location of the seller (and hence the vehicle to be sold) to be identified, in a number of different aspects. Where, for example, the contact telephone number commences with the digits 0121, the system will be able to identify that the geographical area is Birmingham and that the UK region in which the vehicle is located, is the West Midlands.

15 The user-input data is then combined with a standard template 45 so as to produce a draft audio advertisement which is played back to the seller at step 46. An example of such a draft, in which the user-input data is shown in bold text, might be: "West Midlands region, in the Birmingham 0121 STD area, a 1998 Ford 20 Mondeo Saloon for sale at 4,500 ONO, 64000 miles, metallic red.

The vehicle runs on petrol and is a private sale. Please call [seller's mobile number] or [seller's home number, including STD code]".

In a query step 47, the seller is then asked to confirm whether the details of the vehicle and seller are correct: a "no" response returns the seller to the 25 data gathering step 43 whereas a "yes" response leads the seller to a voice message recordal option 48, with which the seller may record, conveniently for up to about 45 seconds, a comprehensive audio description of the vehicle

concerned. This could include, for example, a brief history of the car, the number of previous owners, a description of any recently-undertaken work,

( details of the vehicle's service history, the exact colour, the state of the interior and exterior of the vehicle and perhaps an indication of the urgency of the sale or the reasons underlying it. With it being noteworthy that no print media could ever compete, on a commercially- sensible basis, with this level of information, 5 the seller is then invited to listen to the recording by a return to the playback step 46, with a "Voice message acceptable?" prompt leading the seller, where the voice message is acceptable, to an acceptance step 49, during which the seller is provided with an advert number and a Personal Identification Number (PIN). At this stage, all details of the seller's vehicle will be placed on the 10 database 10 for potential purchasers to access. The advert is thus "live" with it being envisaged, by the applicants, that the process of registering a seller's vehicle in the database 10 may take no more than about six minutes, from start to finish. During this time, revenue is generated by the premium rate telephone line, with the charges being recouped through the seller's telephone bill, in the 15 normal way. Once the advert becomes "live", details of the advertised vehicle are also passed to a website operated by the provider of the database 10 so that details of the vehicle can also be obtained in graphical and readable form.

Should the seller wish to add a picture of the vehicle to the website, this can be done easily by transmitting a digital photograph to the site, using both the 20 advert number and PIN to ensure that the photograph appears adjacent the correct form of wording, and to verify the identity of the sender.

If at the outset, the seller indicates that a dealer-based system is required, IVR prompts may ask the seller to indicate the type of dealership concerned (e.g. single manufacturer, specialist vehicle trader, general vehicle trader and 25 the like). Subsequently, the dealer is prompted to leave a "radio-type" advertisement giving particular car details or perhaps details of any services that the dealership might offer, such as financial assistance packages or the supply of parts and accessories.

( As shown in Figure 5, the process is largely similar, from a prospective buyer's standpoint, in that the information is also accessed by use of a dedicated telephone line. However, in this case, a freephone (toll-free) or local rate call will preferably be used, as an incentive for potential buyers to make 5 use of the service. Once a connection has been made, a voice prompt asks the buyer whether he/she has previously made use of the system and whether a specific advert is required, if, for example, the buyer is already aware of an advert of interest, perhaps previously having accessed the website referred to above. If a "yes" response is received, the buyer inputs the advert number to 10 the system, conveniently using DTMF tones, with the advert number allowing I retrieval of the associated information from the database 10 and allowing the details to be played back to the buyer. On the other hand, where the buyer indicates that no specific advertisement is required, access is obtained, at step 50, to a database gateway leading to a search criteria request step 51, during 15 which the buyer is asked for a comprehensive list of details and characteristics relating to the vehicle being sought. These can include the make, model, age, type, colour, paint finish, fuel type and price range of the vehicle concerned, together with any geographical area restrictions that the buyer may wish to impose. For example, the buyer may not wish to have to travel more than 20 20 kilometres to view a potential purchase. To enable the buyer's geographical location to be established, the buyer is also asked for the STD/area code that is closest to him/her, such as by asking for the buyer's home phone number, for example. As will be understood, use of the area code/region data store 11, in conjunction with the STD/area code given by the buyer, allows the actual 25 geographical location of the vehicle to be identified.

In a comparison step 52, the search criteria input by the seller are compared to the contents of the database 10, with the area code/region data store 11 being accessed to effect any geographical matching that may be required. Thus, where the buyer has indicated that he/she does not wish to

( travel more than 20 kilometres to view a potential purchase, the information contained within the area code/region data store 11 can be used to ensure that vehicles located further than 20 kilometres from the potential buyer are not retrieved during the search step.

5 In a results step 53, an audible message is conveyed to the buyer to advise the buyer on how many vehicles (if any) are available, within the specified search criteria. The buyer is then asked, using an IVR prompt, whether details of the located vehicles should be cited or whether the search should be refined. Where refinement is chosen, the process resumes at step 51 10 and continues in the manner set out above. On the other hand, where the buyer indicates a willingness to listen to details of the vehicles located, a playback sequence commences, in which the audio advertisements are played to the buyer together with the associated advert numbers. During this playback sequence, the IVR system may be operative to allow the buyer to repeat a given 15 description, by pressing an appropriate key or by uttering an appropriate

command, and to skip any descriptions that are not relevant, in a similar

manner. Where the buyer is interested in a particular advertisement, he/she may either make a note of the contact number and/or advert number, with it also being envisaged that these numbers could perhaps be sent direct to the 20 buyer's mobile telephone as part of an SMS (text message) transmission. This transmission could be requested by the buyer, by pressing an appropriate key on his/her telephone, or by uttering an appropriate command.

Using the advert number, the potential buyer is able to access the website referred to in relation to Figure 4, to obtain more information on the 25 vehicle concerned and perhaps to view a picture of the vehicle, where one has been uploaded by the seller.

Throughout the buying process, the potential buyer is able to refine the scope of his/her search, conveniently by pressing an appropriate key or by uttering a suitable command. Thus, where a local search initially is desired, but

( where this does not bring to light any suitable vehicles, refinement of the search criteria could be effective to expand the geographical scope of the search, so as to incorporate, for example, those geographical areas that surround the area corresponding to the buyer's home STD area code. Thus, by referring to Figure 5 la, where nothing of interest is located in the Birmingham (0121) area, the search scope could be expanded so as also to include vehicles available in the Burntwood, Tamworth, Meriden (etc) areas. As will be understood, this can be effected fairly simply, bearing in mind that the area code/region data store is able to calculate the distances between two given geographical areas, based 10 upon their STD area codes. I Insofar as the preferred embodiment is concerned, a number of additional features are also envisaged by the applicants. "Advert Tracking" enables a seller to dial a dedicated telephone number to enquire how many times his/her advert has partially or fully been read out. It will be understood 15 that the computerised nature of the database and access mechanisms enable this to be done on an entirely automated basis. In response to this information, the seller might then adjust the tone or length of the advert if it is felt that there may be something wrong, such as the price, the location of the vehicle, or even the spoken description.

20 A "Priority Search" can also be effected if a buyer should fmd that the specific vehicle that is being sought is not currently available. This could apply in the case of a rare or classic car, for example. The buyer is able to call a "Priority Search" telephone line and enter information onto the system concerning the car that is being sought, in the same general manner as is 25 described in relation to Figure 5. When a seller subsequently enters details matching those specified in a "Priority Search", the relevant potential buyer is contacted, perhaps using an SMS transmission, advising the buyer of the advert number. The buyer then need only call the buyer's line, or visit the website, enter the advert number, and gain full access to details of the vehicle

I concerned. As will be understood, this is not only extremely convenient from a buyer's point of view, but it also enables a vehicle to be sold very quickly indeed, thus also being attractive to selling users of the system.

Once a vehicle has been sold, the seller can instantly remove all details 5 of the car from the system, conveniently by dialling an appropriate cancellation line and inputting the advert number and PIN, thus preventing any further enquiries being made. On the other hand, where a vehicle has not been sold within a predetermined time period (it is envisaged that a typical advertisement might remain "live" for a period of fourteen days), the seller may call a 10 premium rate renewal line, input the advert number and PEN and effect renewal I of the advert for a further fourteen day period. It will be understood that use of the seller's PIN is required so that only the seller is able to renew the advertisement, with the same rationale applying to use of the cancellation line.

The seller is also able to amend the advertisement if it is felt that the 15 price should be reduced, in an effort to effect a rapid sale, for example. Again, l using the advert number and PIN, the seller is able to access the advert and effect appropriate changes - once the price has been reduced, the vehicle might be "showcased" in a special section accessible from the main buying menu, which might be referred to by the IVR system as a "Hot Deal" section.

20 What will be understood from the foregoing is that the invention provides, in its various aspects, a database abstraction method that, in conjunction with a sophisticated geographical search facility, gives rise to a buying/selling system that lends itself particularly well to theadvertisement and sale of items of commerce. It will nonetheless be appreciated that the invention 25 is not limited to use of this type, and that other commodities such as job vacancies, property and the like could equally well be disposed of in an analogous manner to the vehicles described above.

In the present specification "comprises" means "includes or consists off'

and "comprising" means "including or consisting of''.

! The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following

claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any 5 combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

( CLAIMS:

1. A method of obtaining information from a computer database containing a plurality of data items, each data item being associated with a geographical 5 location identified by a telephone area code, the method comprising generating an information request including a location parameter, and using the area codes to extract from the database those data items whose associated geographical locations fall within the location parameter specified in the request.

10

2. A method according to Claim 1 wherein the location parameter

comprises a distance.

3. A method according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein a geographical location associated with the requester is identified by a telephone area code 15 included in the request.

4. A method according to Claim 2 or Claim 3 wherein the distances between the requestor's geographical location and those of the data items are calculated on the basis of the distances between the actual geographic areas to 20 which the respective area codes relate.

5. A method according to Claim I wherein the location parameter is expressed, in the request, as a geographical region, the method comprising accessing an area code/region data store and identifying those area codes that 25 relate to the specified geographical region.

6. A method according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the information request is conveyed telephonically towards the database.

(

7. A method according to Claim 6 wherein the information request is generated, at least in part, using DTMF tones.

S 8. A method according to Claim 6 or Claim 7 wherein the request is generated, at least in part, in response to prompts generated using an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system.

9. A system for providing information from a computer database 10 containing a plurality of data items, each data item being associated with a l geographical location identified by a telephone area code, the system comprising an input element operative to receive information requests having a location parameter, a processing element operative to process said requests, a data extraction element operative to extract, from the database, data items 15 whose associated geographical locations fall within the location parameter specified in the request, and an output element operative to convey information relating to the extracted data items to an information requester.

10. A system according to Claim 9 wherein the output element is operative 20 to convey the information telephonically.

11. A system according to Claim 9 or Claim 1O further comprising a prompt generation element operative to prompt the requester to provide the information request using an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system.

12. A system for facilitating the disposal of an item of commerce, comprising associating each of a plurality of said items of commerce with a geographical location from which said items are available, the geographical locations being identified by telephone area codes, and using the area codes, in

! response to an information request including a location parameter, to provide information relating to items of commerce whose geographical locations fall within the location parameter of the request.

5

13. A system according to Claim 12 wherein a geographical location associated with the requester is identified by a telephone area code included in the request.

14. A system according to Claim 13 wherein the information request lO specifies a maximum distance that the requester is willing to travel in order to view an item of commerce, and wherein the system provides information to the requester that relates to items of commerce located no further from the requester than said maximum distance.

15 15. A telephone-accessible database system containing a plurality of data items each relating to an available item of commerce, the data items each being associated with a geographical location from which the respective items of commerce are available, the geographical locations being identified by a telephone area code and wherein the database system is operative, in response 20 to a telephoned information request including a location parameter, to use the telephone area codes to identify which of said plurality of items of commerce are available at a geographical location falling within said location parameter.

16. A method of obtaining information from a computer database containing 25 a plurality of data items, substantially as hereinbefore described and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings.

(

17. A system for providing information from a computer database containing a plurality of data items, substantially as hereinbefore described and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings.

18. A system for facilitating the disposal of an item of commerce substantially as hereinbefore described and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings.

l9. A telephone-accessible database system substantially as hereinbefore lO described and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings.

20. Any novel feature or novel combination of features described herein and/or in the accompanying drawings.