WO2014124499A1

WO2014124499A1 - Method and system for sharing personal information

Info

Publication number: WO2014124499A1
Application number: PCT/AU2014/000133
Authority: WO
Inventors: Howard BARKHAN; Paul EPHRON
Original assignee: Barkhan Howard; Ephron Paul
Priority date: 2013-02-15
Filing date: 2014-02-17
Publication date: 2014-08-21

Abstract

A system for exchanging information, the system including: a first portable electronic device having a memory for storing an application, the application having a user interface for allowing a user to enter user information; and a display for displaying at least a portion of the user information in machine readable format and for allowing a second portable electronic device to read the portion of the user information in machine readable format thereby transferring the portion of the user information to a memory of the second portable electronic device.

Description

TITLE: METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR SHARING PERSONAL INFORMATION

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to portable electronic devices and in particular to systems and methods for sharing personal information on portable electronic devices and will be described with reference to this application. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this particular field of use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In this specification unless the contrary is expressly stated, where a document, act or item of knowledge is referred to or discussed, this reference or discussion is not an admission that the document, act or item of knowledge or any combination thereof was at the priority date, publicly available, known to the public, part of common general knowledge; or known to be relevant to an attempt to solve any problem with which this specification is concerned.

The real estate industry is concerned primarily with the business of buying, selling, or renting land, buildings or housing. Real estate agents act as intermediaries between sellers and buyers of real estate/real property and attempts to find sellers who wish to sell and buyers who wish to buy. They also act as intermediaries between lessors and lessees for those wishing to rent property.

The prior art presents a number of difficulties for buyers, lessors and real estate agents in the industry especially in the area of information exchange. In the prior art, buyers or lessors will visit a property they are interested in purchasing or leasing during designated open for inspection times. During these times, the agent will open up a property for inspection by the general public and will therefore not necessarily have contact details for the purchasers or lessors who come to inspect the property. Upon arriving at the property, the agent will request the relevant information from the purchaser or lessor.

The information is typically exchanged verbally and hand written. This has privacy concerns where other people can overhear potentially sensitive information. Hand writing information, particularly when trying to do so quickly, also leads to errors in the information and illegible information.

In addition, the prior art frustrates the buyers and lessors particularly when they are frequenting a number of properties in a day. It also slows down the process of getting people through the property, particularly when it is a large inspection with many groups of people as they are waiting for their info to be captured by the agent or assistant.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Portable electronic devices have increased in popularity and many people now carry at least one portable electronic device with them throughout the day. The device may take the form of a portable computer, a mobile phone, a smart phone, a personal digital assistant, personal music player or the like. Users of these devices have become accustomed to installing software applications (known as "apps") on these devices.

A preferred embodiment of the invention utilises an app stored on a user's smart phone to facilitate the exchange of information between the user (a potential purchaser or lessor) and an agent. The preferred embodiment of the invention protects the user's privacy as he/she is not providing their personal info aloud with strangers standing in close proximity becoming privileged to this information. The preferred embodiment of the invention also allows users to determine they type of information they are willing to exchange with and receive from real estate agents.

Advantages of the preferred embodiment of the invention for the agent include: taking away buyer frustration by negating the need to manually personal info at the inspections; speeding up the process of inspections; having buyers/lessors data being captured and uploaded to the agents database taking away the task and time of having to do this manually; reducing the agents' overheads by no longer requiring a fulltime assistant to manage this function; and providing live and accurate data into their database.

Accordingly, aspects of the invention provide: improved service and privacy for users: and proficiency, a reduction in operating costs and accurate and live data management for real estate agencies.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a system for exchanging information, the system including: a first portable electronic device having a memory for storing an application, the application having a user interface for allowing a user to enter user information; and a display for displaying at least a portion of the user information in machine readable format and for allowing a second portable electronic device to read the portion of the user information in machine readable format thereby transferring the portion of the user information to a memory of the second portable electronic device.

Preferably the first portable electronic device includes a network interface for connecting the device to a network and for allowing the application to transfer information between an information server connected to the network and the memory of the first portable electronic device, the information server storing at least a portion of the user information.

Preferably the second portable electronic device includes a network interface for connecting the device to the network and for allowing the transfer of information between the memory of the second portable electronic device and the information server.

Preferably the second portable electronic device includes a camera adapted to read the user information from the display of the first portable electronic device. Preferably the network interface is a wireless network. More preferably the network interface is a mobile phone wireless network.

Preferably the network is connected to the Internet.

Preferably the information server is connected to the Internet and communicates with the devices through the Internet and the mobile phone network.

Preferably the user information includes a unique identifier associated with each user.

Preferably the unique identifier is included in the machine readable information displayed on the display of the first portable electronic device.

Preferably the user information entered on the first portable electronic device is automatically uploaded to the information server.

Preferably the user information for a particular user is automatically downloaded to the second portable electronic device upon the second portable electronic device reading the unique identifier for that user on the display of the first portable electronic device.

Preferably the user information includes one or more of the following: rental price range; purchase price range; number of bedrooms desired; number of bathrooms desired; dwelling type; user name; user contact details; purchase history; leasing history; or newsletter subscription preference.

Preferably the machine readable information is displayed in the form of a Quick Response Code (QR code). In some embodiment the machine readable information is transferred wirelessly. Preferably the wireless transfer can be by way of Bluetooth, WIFI, GSM data or the like.

Preferably property information is automatically sent to the first portable electronic device upon the second portable device reading the QR code on the first portable electronic device. Preferably the information includes property information selected from at least one of: property plan; contract for sale; contract for lease; brochure; floor plan.

In some embodiments the user can complete a contract for lease within the application and return it the agent, through the system, automatically for approval.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method for exchanging information, the method including the steps of: providing a first portable electronic device having a memory for storing an application, the application having a user interface for allowing a user to enter user information; and providing a display for displaying at least a portion of the user information in machine readable format and for allowing a second portable electronic device to read the portion of the user information in machine readable format thereby transferring the portion of the user information to a memory of the second portable electronic device.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a system for exchanging information, the system including: a first portable electronic device having a memory for storing unique user identification information and a display for displaying the unique identification information in machine readable format; a second portable electronic device having a reader for reading the unique identification information and a memory for storing the unique identification information on the second portable electronic device.

Preferably the system includes a plurality of users wherein each user has their own respective unique user identification information and the system includes an information server for storing the respective unique user identification information along with user information for each respective user.

Preferably the second portable electronic device retrieves the user information for each respective user whose unique identification information has been read from the information server. Preferably the user information includes user contact and/or preference information.

Preferably the first portable electronic device includes a network interface for connecting the device to a network and for allowing the device to transfer information between the information server connected to the network and the memory of the first portable electronic device.

Preferably the second portable electronic device includes a camera adapted to read the unique identitication information from the display of the first portable electronic device.

Preferably the network interface is a wireless network. More preferably the network interface is a mobile phone wireless network.

Preferably the network is connected to the Internet.

Preferably the information server is connected to the Internet and communicates with the devices through the Internet and the mobile phone network. Preferably the user information for a particular user is automatically downloaded to the second portable electronic device upon the second portable electronic device reading the unique identification information for that user on the display of the first portable electronic device.

Preferably the user information further includes one or more of the following: rental price range; purchase price range; number of bedrooms desired; number of bathrooms desired; dwelling type; user name; user contact details; purchase history; leasing history; or newsletter subscription preference.

Preferably the machine readable information is displayed in the form of a Quick Response Code (QR code).

According to a forth aspect of the invention there is provided a method for exchanging contact information, the method including the steps of: providing a database for storing contact information for a plurality of users, each user having an associated unique identifier for uniquely identifying the user's contact information; providing the unique identifier to each user in a machine readable format for allowing the user to selectively share the unique identifier with a third party; providing a scanner for reading the machine readable format to the third party for allowing the third party to scan a user's unique identifier; transferring or making available the respective user's contact information to the third party upon the third party scanning the respective user's unique identifier.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention there is provided a system for exchanging information, the system including; a user database for storing contact information for a plurality of users, each user having an associated unique user identifier; a property listing database for storing information relating to a plurality of properties for sale or lease; a compiler for generating a machine readable image for each of the plurality of users, each respective machine readable image including each users' respective associated unique user identifier, a scanner for reading at one user's machine readable image when the user arrives at a property wherein upon reading the user's machine readable image the user's contact information is provided to the scanner and the information relating to the respective property is provided to the user. According to a sixth aspect of the invention there is provided a system for exchanging information, the system including; a user database for storing contact information for a plurality of users, each user having an associated unique user identifier; a database for storing information relating to a plurality of properties for sale or lease; a compiler for generating a machine readable file for each of the plurality of users, each respective machine readable file including each users' respective associated unique user identifier, a reader for reading at one user's machine readable file when the user arrives at a property wherein upon reading the user's machine readable file the user's contact information is provided to the reader and the information relating to the respective property is provided to the user.

In some embodiments the machine readable file is transferred by wirelessly. Preferably the wireless transfer is by way of Bluetooth, bump, ibeacon and the like.

Throughout the specification and claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and other variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers of steps.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a map of an application according to the invention;

Figure 2 is functional diagram of a system according to the invention;

Figure 2a is another functional diagram of a system according to the invention;

Figure 3 is a screen shot of the application of Figure 1 ;

Figure 4 is a screen shot of the application of Figure 1 ;

Figure 5 is a screen shot of the application of Figure 1 ;

Figure 6 is a screen shot of the application of Figure 1 ;

Figure 7 is a screen shot of the application of Figure 1 ; Figure 8 is a screen shot of the application of Figure 1 ;

Figure 9 is a screen shot of the application of Figure 1 ;

Figure 10 is a screen shot of the application of Figure 1 ;

Figure 11 is a screen shot of the application of Figure 1 ; and

Figure 12 is a functional diagram of a second system according to the invention; and

Figures 13 - 20 are screen shots of an agency application according to the invention; and

Figures 21 - 31 are screen shots of an agency application according to the invention.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

The preferred embodiment of the invention provides a portable electronic device in the form of an Apple Iphone™. It would be understood though that the invention can be implemented on any suitable device such as an Apple Ipad™, Blackberry™ device, Samsung™ device, Android™ device and any other suitable smart phone, tablet or device.

A device according to the preferred embodiment of the invention is a portable electronic device having memory for storing a software application or App. The app is used by prospective buyers and lessors when they visit a property that is open for inspection. These users download the app to their smart phone and create and account by entering in their personal information using the user interface. The information includes contact details such as their name, mobile phone number and email address. This information is then uploaded through the mobile phone carrier network to the information server connected to the Internet. Each user of the system is allocated a unique identifier to identify that user in the system. Once the user's personal information has been entered into the app, the app generates a QR code containing the user's personal information. The QR code is displayed on the display of the device when that feature of the app is actuated such that another user of the system (typically a real estate agent) can scan the QR code with their device. Upon scanning the QR code of the disclosing user, the scanning device captures the contact details and unique identifier of the user and makes this available to the receiving user (the real estate agent). The receiving user can then store this information as required for retrieval later. Depending on the particular implementation of the system only the unique identifier can be transferred using the QR code. This would allow the receiving device to query the information server for the personal details relating to the unique user identifier transferred to their device. In other embodiments personal information is stored in the QR code itself and transferred as described. By providing their QR code to a receiving user, the disclosing user is consenting to share at least a portion of their information with the receiving user.

As would be understood the information server contains personal information populated by each user on their own device. The information can also be populated, in some embodiments, by using a web page interface with the information server. Once a receiving user (such as a real estate agent) receives consent to receive information from users, they are able to download information about all users that have consented to provide their details. Information can be retrieved in any convenient form, for example, downloaded in a spreadsheet, sent directly to the receiving user's device, accessed in real time by the user through a web server or their portable device or through web services to the receiving user's customer relationship database.

The system according to the preferred embodiment protects user's privacy and allows the user to select what information to share with receiving users. This prevents user frustration by providing this personal information at the inspections and also speeds up the process of inspections. It also provides information almost instantaneously to receiving users and prevents them from having to record information manually. It also reduces overhead costs by not requiring a fulltime assistant to manage the data capture at each open for inspection. The system according to the preferred embodiment also provides live and accurate data into the database.

Referring to Figure 1 there is shown a layout of an application according to the preferred embodiment.

Referring to Figure 2 there is shown a system 201 according to the invention. The system includes a first portable electronic device in the form of iPhone 202 having a memory 203 for storing an application, the application having a touchscreen user interface 204 for allowing a user to enter user information. A display 205 displays at least a portion of the user information in machine readable format QR code and for allowing a second portable electronic device to read the portion of the user information in machine readable format thereby transferring the portion of the user information to a memory of the second portable electronic device. iPhone 202 includes a network interface 206 for connecting the phone to mobile phone network 207. The mobile phone network is in communication with the Internet 208 for allowing the application to transfer information between an information server 209 connected to the Intenet and the memory 203. The information server 209 stores at least a portion of the user information 210.

A second portable electronic device if the form of iPhone 211 is also connected to the mobile phone network 207 in the same way as phone 202. This allows the second phone 211 to transfer information between its memory 212 and the information server 209. Phone 211 includes a camera 213 adapted to read the QR code from display 205. The QR code includes a unique identifier associated with each user. Once the second phone 212 reads the QR code from display 205 the phone 212 queries the information server 203 and retrieves the user information associated with the QR code and the unique user identifier that was read from the display.

The user information includes one or more of the following: rental price range; purchase price range; number of bedrooms desired; number of bathrooms desired; dwelling type; user name; user contact details; purchase history; leasing history; or newsletter subscription preference.

Upon entering the user's information in relation to the required property, the system can forward property information that meets the specified criteria to the user.

In use, a user 214 uses the mobile phone 202 to enter their personal details. The user could also alternatively use laptop 215 to access a web browser 216 which is also in communication with information server 203 to enter their details into the information server.

At an open for inspection, the user 214 actuates the application to display the QR 217. A second user being a real estate agent 218 actuates the application on their phone 212. The receiving phone is actuated and scans QR code 217 with camera 213. Upon reading the information contained in the QR code, the second phone queries the information server 203 and retrieves the user information 210 for that user. The real estate agent can then review the information as required. In the preferred embodiment, the information is automatically transferred to the real estates agent's customer database 219. The real estate agent can use personal computer 220 to access the information on the server 203 or on their customer database 219. The information can be extracted and used as required by the real estate agent.

At the end of the user's inspection they can use their application to select whether or not they are interested in the property. If they are interested the system will keep them automatically updated, through their application, on the progress or any activity that occurs in relation to the property. For example, if the agent wishes to send out a communication in relation to the property, the agent can use their agent application to initiate the communication that will be sent to all interested users. For example if the price on the property has changed, the agent input the change in their application and all user's interested in the property will receive a notice that the price has changed. Similarly if the property is under offer, sold, inspection times amended all users will be notified automatically without the agent having to individually contact each user.

In the preferred embodiment, upon the real estate agent scanning the user's QR code, relevant property information is automatically sent to the user's smart phone. The information could include a plan of the property, depreciation schedule, rental estimates, a copy of the contract for sale, a brochure and so on. The information is made available within the application or sent by email or other electronic message. In some embodiments the user can elect to have the information sent by regular mail to their postal address which is already included in their contact information so that no further data entry is required by either the user or the agent. It is preferable that recent suburb property sales and a sales history report for the property being inspected is also automatically sent to the user upon the real estate agent scanning their QR code.

As each user completes their inspection and notes in the application whether or not they are interested in the property, the system updates automatically noting user interest. In that way the agent can obtain a list of interested buyers. The agent can also note which users' are not interested and review any comments they may have entered in the application.

At the completion of the open house, the agent can review a list of all parties that inspected the property along with the list of which ones are interested. This information can also made available to the vendor of the property through the application or website so they are able to, independently of the agent, review information of how may people inspected the property and what the feedback was and how many are interested in purchasing or leasing the property.

Figure 2a shows the component architecture for the preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 3 shows an input screen of the application according to the preferred embodiment. Fields are included for the user to input their name, mobile number, email address and physical address.

Figure 4 shows a selection screen of the application according to the preferred embodiment. The user is able to select and set various details including their contact details, property details, location settings and privacy settings.

Figure 5 shows map selection screen of the application according to the preferred embodiment.

Figure 6 shows the privacy settings selection of the application according to the preferred embodiment.

Figure 7 shows an input screen for property selection of the application according to the preferred embodiment.

Figure 8 shows a QR code generated according to the preferred embodiment.

Figure 9 shows the property history stored by the application according to the preferred embodiment.

Figures 10 and 11 show the property feedback screen according to the preferred embodiment. Figure 12 shows the architecture of another embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment a real estate agent uses the system to obtain information from potential property buyers or potential tenants.

The Central System (provided under the RTS brand name) connects to a plurality of agency systems, each agency system being a separate client. In this embodiment it is connected to two agency systems, 1201 and 1202. Each agency system is maintained by the can be accessed by the real estate agent's information technology team to extract data and reports. It can also allow further development and maintenance of the system.

Live customer data and other data on the RTS Central Server can be accessed by the API component. Preferably each Service in the Central and Agency Service is separately hosted on Scalable Cloud Services.

As would be understood, having separate agency systems for each client (real estate agent in this embodiment) allows each agency system to be configures separately and allows each system to interface with existing agency systems 1204 (which may be proprietary to that agency) through API 1205.

Each agency system 1201 and 1202 and interface with and extract information from public or paid databases such as subscriber database RPData™ 1206 through interface or API 1207. As would be understood any third party database or data store could be used to extract information and RPData™ is used as an example only. In this embodiment RPData™ includes information on property sales which can assist buyers and sellers obtain information about specific houses and property areas. In other embodiments data from Australian Property Monitors (APM) us used but data from any source can be used or aggregated as required.

The agency application 1208 allows real estate agents to access the system using their smart phone or tablet computer. Customer app 1209 allows the customer to access the system using their smart phone or tablet computer.

Figures 13 to 20 show screen shots of the agency application running on a smart phone according to the architecture shown in Figure 12.

Figures 21 to 31 show screen shots of the agency application running on a smart phone according to the architecture shown in Figure 12.

In this embodiment an agent can list a property for sale using their application. In this way there is no duplication of data entry for the real estate agent. Once listed the system notifies any user whose criteria matches the property just listed. In this way buyers are informed the moment a suitable property is listed.

In this embodiment, user's can initiate property searches using the application. The user enters their property criteria (such as lease/buy, suburb, price, number of rooms, number of bathrooms and the like) and the system can notify all real estate agents operating in the required area of the user's requirements. If any suitable properties are already listed on the system, these will be sent automatically to the user and agent's can contact the user as required. In addition the user will be notified in any new properties meeting their criteria are listed in the desired area.

Using a system according to embodiments of the invention provides significant advantages to users', agents and vendors. It also provides advantages to property listing websites as sites can monitor how many users view a property online, how many physically inspect the property and who the ultimate purchaser or lessor is as user activity can be monitored at each step of the sale or lease process.

As would be understood, embodiments of the invention could be applied to any number of different industries and it is not limited to the real estate industry.

Any commercial processor may be used to implement the embodiments of the invention either as a single processor, serial or parallel set of processors in the system. Examples of commercial processors include, but are not limited to Merced™, Pentium™, Pentium II™, Xeon™, Celeron™, Pentium Pro™, Efficeon™, Athlon, AMD, Intel Centrino™, Intel Core Duo™, Intel Core 2 Duo™, Intel Centrino™, Intel Xeon™ and the like.

Display screens may be segment display screen, analogue display screens, digital display screens, CRTs, LED screens, Plasma screens, liquid crystal diode screens, and the like.

Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a system for exchanging information, the system including: a first portable electronic device having a memory for storing an application, the application having a user interface for allowing a user to enter user information; and a display for displaying at least a portion of the user information in machine readable format and for allowing a second portable electronic device to read the portion of the user information in machine readable format thereby transferring the portion of the user information to a memory of the second portable electronic device.

2. A system according to claim 1 wherein the first portable electronic device includes a network interface for connecting the device to a network and for allowing the application to transfer information between an information server connected to the network and the memory of the first portable electronic device, the information server storing at least a portion of the user information.

3. A system according to claim 2 wherein the second portable electronic device includes a network interface for connecting the device to the network and for allowing the transfer of information between the memory of the second portable electronic device and the information server.

4. A system according to claim 3 wherein the second portable electronic device includes a camera adapted to read the user information from the display of the first portable electronic device.

5. A system according to claim 4 wherein the network interface is a wireless network in the form of a mobile phone network.

6. A system according to claim 5 wherein the network is connected to the Internet.

7. A system according to claim 6 wherein the information server is connected to the Internet and communicates with the devices through the Internet and the mobile phone network.

8. A system according to claim 7 wherein the user information includes a unique identifier associated with each user.

9. A system according to claim 8 wherein the unique identifier is included in the machine readable information displayed on the display of the first portable electronic device.

10. A system according to claim 9 wherein the user information entered on the first portable electronic device is automatically uploaded to the information server.

11. A system according to claim 10 wherein the user information for a particular user is automatically downloaded to the second portable electronic device upon the second portable electronic device reading the unique identifier for that user on the display of the first portable electronic device.

12. A system according to claim 11 wherein the user information includes one or more of the following: rental price range; purchase price range; number of bedrooms desired; number of bathrooms desired; dwelling type; user name; user contact details; purchase history; leasing history; or newsletter subscription preference.

13. A system according to claim 12 wherein the machine readable information is displayed in the form of a Quick Response Code (QR code).

14. A system according to claim 11 wherein property information is automatically sent to the first portable electronic device upon the second portable electronic device reading the unique identifier for that user on the display of the first portable electronic device.

15. A system according to claim 14 wherein the property information includes one or more of the following: floor plan; contract for sale; contract for lease; property brochure.

16. A system for exchanging information, the system including: a first portable electronic device having a memory for storing unique user identification information and a display for displaying the unique identification information in machine readable format; a second portable electronic device having a reader for reading the unique identification information and a memory for storing the unique identification information on the second portable electronic device.

17. A system according to claim 16 including a plurality of users wherein each user has their own respective unique user identification information and the system includes an information server for storing the respective unique user identification information along with user information for each respective user.

18. A system according to claim 17 where the second portable electronic device retrieves the user information for each respective user whose unique identification information has been read from the information server.

19. A system for exchanging information, the system including; a user database for storing contact information for a plurality of users, each user having an associated unique user identifier; a property listing database for storing information relating to a plurality of properties for sale or lease; a compiler for generating a machine readable image for each of the plurality of users, each respective machine readable image including each users' respective associated unique user identifier, a scanner for reading at one user's machine readable image when the user arrives at a property wherein upon reading the user's machine readable image the user's contact information is provided to the scanner and the information relating to the respective property is provided to the user.