FIELDOFINVENTION

THIS INVENTION relates to a method of, and system for, providing product information. The invention has particular application to relatively large but readily identifiable products, such as real estate and motor vehicles. In the context of present-day marketing and sales promotion, the term "product" is often be taken to include services. In the context of the present invention, the term "product" is particularly concerned with motor vehicles and real estate being proffered by vendors to an open market. In this specification, unless the context indicates otherwise, the term "property" refers to real estate .

BACKGROUNDART

The Internet has provided both real estate agents and real estate purchasers with a valuable resource which has revolutionised the search, selection, sale and acquisition of real estate. From the comfort of one's home, or the convenience of one's office, potential purchasers are able to browse a large number of listed properties, and provide selection criteria to narrow down search results to those properties having the appropriate attributes, such as number of bedrooms, price range and the like. The Internet has similarly revolutionised the selection and purchasing of motor vehicles. However, in order to search, the buyer is required to be seated at a computer. If a property for sale is spotted whilst driving along in, for example, a motor car, the purchaser has to remember the details of the property, location and agent. Similarly, if a vehicle for sale is spotted whilst driving along in, for example, a motor car, the purchaser often would be required to remember a contact telephone number, and is often limited to making only a visual assessment of the vehicle.

The present invention aims to provide a method of, and system for, providing product information which addresses the aforementioned problems. The invention also aims to provide a product information service making use of mobile telephone technologies or the like. The invention also aims to provide a system which provides access to information concerning real estate and motor vehicles for sale for potential purchasers to assess the suitability of the product for their particular needs. Other aims and advantages of the invention may become apparent from the following description.

DISCLOSUREOFTHEINVENTION

With the foregoing in view, the present invention in one aspect resides broadly in a product information system for marketing real estate and/or motor vehicles including:

a database containing information relevant to a plurality of motor vehicles and/or properties, each property and/or motor vehicle being identified by an identification code,-

a database query module operably associated with the database and operable for retrieving some of the information according to a database query;

a query interpretation module operably associated with the database query module and operable to interpret queries to the database by conversion to the database query from a spoken or typed query;

a query input module operably associated with the query interpretation module and operable for producing the spoken or typed query input by a user,- and

a response output module operably associated with the database for outputting a response to the database query and wherein the response includes information relevant to the property or motor vehicle identified by the identification code.

Preferably, the query input module is accessible by way of a telecommunications network, such as, for example, a public switched telephone network. More preferably, the query input module is operable to receive voice, short message system (SMS) and/or email queries. It is also preferred that the query interpretation module includes an interactive voice response module and an SMS and/or email gateway to the database query module. It is also preferred that the query input module and response output module be integrated whereby queries to the database and the answers retrieved therefrom are accommodated on the same device.

In another aspect, the present invention resides broadly in a method of providing product information in respect of a product, including:

providing a product information system as hereinbefore described;

inputting a spoken or typed query into the query input module;

accessing at least some of the information in the database by way of a spoken or typed query,-

converting the spoken or typed query to a database query;

retrieving the information relevant to the database query and

outputting the retrieved information to the response output module.

In another A method of providing product information in respect of a plurality of motor vehicles and properties including:

providing a product information system incorporating a database query module operably associated with a database containing information relevant to a plurality of motor vehicles and/or properties;

providing an identification code for each motor vehicle and/or property;

inputting a spoken or typed query into the product information system, the query including the identification code for the motor vehicle or property;

accessing at least some of the information in the database according to the spoken or typed query to provide retrieved information about the property or motor vehicle; and outputting the retrieved information to the response output module.

Preferably, the product information system includes a database, a database query module, a query interpretation module, a query input module and a response output module are provided as hereinbefore described. Preferably, the query is processed by a selected query interpretation module, the selection of the module being determined by an initial assessment of the nature of the query. Alternatively, separate databases are provided for real estate and motor vehicles, such that, for motor vehicles, the initial query having the identification code for the motor vehicle, such as its registration number, is forwarded to the motor vehicle database. When the real estate database is accessed, a similar method is followed to retrieve the information relevant to the property' s identification code in the input query.

The information from the real estate database preferably includes links to such objects as pictures and text of pertaining to the property. Moreover, the system preferably further includes an interactive interface permitting such objects as virtual tours and/or webcams to be accessed. For example, where a mobile telephone having a screen of sufficient resolution is used to access the database, the mobile telephone user may conduct themselves on a virtual tour through a property irrespective of their location. It will be appreciated that for the marketing of motor vehicles, corresponding functionality may be included in the system. For example, a virtual tour showing the inside of the motor vehicle may be provided as well as an three-dimensional external view.

Preferably, a user accesses the query input module by way of a telecommunications network, such as, for example, the public switched telephone network. Preferably, the user inputs a voice query, SMS query, email query or such like, the query input module being operable to such queries. The query is then preferably processed by the query interpretation module preferably using, for example, an interactive voice response module or an SMS and email gateway to the database query module, the selection of the module or gateway being determined by an initial assessment of the nature of the query. A response would preferably be received by the same device as that which the user used to input the query.

In a preferred form, each product is identified by a readily available identification code. For example, where the product is a motor vehicle, the identification code may be the registration number of the vehicle. Where the product is a real estate property, the identification code may be a code for the real estate agency, such as, for example, the initial letters of its name, combined with a property identification number issued by the agency. Access to the system is preferably by telephone, the telephone number being provided in conjunction with the "FOR SALE" notice provided in association with the product for sale. The telephone number provides operative connection to the query input module.

BRIEFDESCRIPTIONOFTHEDRAWINGS

In order that the invention may be more readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate in exemplary form a preferred embodiment of the invention as it would apply to two different categories of product and wherein.-

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of the product information system according to the invention insofar as it applies to automobile products; and

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic representation of the product information system according to the invention insofar as it applies to real estate.

DETAILEDDESCRIPTIONOFTHEDRAWINGS

The automobile product information system 10 illustrated in Fig. 1 includes a database 11 operatively connected to a query interpretation module 12 having an interactive voice response (IVR) unit, operatively associated with a natural language speech recognition (NLSR) unit or a dual tone multifrequency (DTMF) unit for receiving voice in typed input from a query input module 14 via the public switch telephone network (PSTN) 13. Information represented at 22 relevant to a vehicle 21 for sale is provided on the database for retrieval by potential purchasers.

The real estate information system 20 illustrated in Fig. 2 includes features similar to those of the automobile product information system 10 shown in Fig. 1, with like elements therein being given the same reference numeral. Information represented at 24 relevant to real estate for sale is provided on the database for retrieval by potential purchasers.

It will be appreciated that the databases for both vehicles and real estate may be combined or provided on the same computer or data storage system if desired, as indeed it may be possible to incorporate products other than vehicles or other land or water craft and real estate. It is believed by the inventors that the system and method of the present invention lends itself particularly to real estate and motor vehicles because these products are normally out in public view when for sale, and the fact of their being for sale is readily identifiable.

In use, a potential purchaser of an automobile would see a "FOR SALE" notice or sign indicating that it is for sale together with indicia indicating the telephone number to call for information concerning the motor vehicle. The indicia would also indicate, for example, that the registration number should be used in order to access relevant information concerning the sale of the motor vehicle. The information relevant to the motor vehicle might include, for example, the asking price, features of the vehicle, registration information and the like. Similarly, for real estate, the relevant information may include, for example, the number of bedrooms, bathrooms, car parking spaces and the like. Moreover, the information retrieval system may include a module for transmitting information to an email address or the like. The user may use voice commands to the query input module to navigate through the various options available in the product information system, or use a telephone touch keypad to select from a range of options. The query input module is also programmed to accept SMS messages or the like. The output may be a spoken output from a computer voice synthesiser, an email, or SMS or the like. Of course, other outputs, such as fax or the like may be accommodated into the system.

It can be seen that the method and system of the present invention can alleviate the limitations associated with traditional information media, such as print , radio and television. The method and system of the present invention may also be integrated with such media if desired. However, it will be appreciated that the method and system of the present invention are readily adapted to having the identification code on display with the real estate itself, real estate often being placed on the market often including "for sale" signage on or very close to the property. In the case of motor vehicles, a display in or on the vehicle may be utilised for the purpose of indicating to prospective purchasers the fact of the vehicle being on the market, and the contact details which the prospective purchasers use to access information concerning the vehicle. Additionally, subject to privacy issues, real estate and vehicle sales offices can keep track of prospective buyers by logging the telephone numbers of callers to the database. Moreover, an option may be included in the system to permit prospective buyers to forward their contact information and their enquiries to the database may be profiled to permit sales staff to direct pertinent alternatives to the buyer in case their initial enquiries did not match their requirements and/or expectations.

Although the invention has been described with reference to one or more specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in other forms within the broad scope and ambit of the invention as claimed by the following claims .