Prior art

To identify the most relevant prior art for US Patent 5852810, I will search the USPTO database for the patent and then review its cited references. I will specifically look for the "Cited by Examiner" section, as these are typically considered the most pertinent prior art by the patent office.

According to the USPTO website, the "Patent Public Search" tool is a web-based search application for patents and patent application publications that provides enhanced access to prior art.

USPTO Search for Patent 5852810

The patent text provided already includes a "Citations" section, which lists prior art cited by the examiner. I will use this section to extract the relevant information.

Most Relevant Prior Art for US Patent 5852810

Here's an analysis of the prior art cited in US Patent 5852810, focusing on those marked as "Cited by examiner":

1. US4870576A

   • Full Citation: US4870576A - Real estate search and location system and method.
   • Publication Date: September 26, 1989.
   • Priority Date: March 19, 1986.
   • Assignee: Realpro, Ltd.
   • Brief Description: This patent describes a real estate search and location system and method. While the full text isn't provided here, the title suggests a system for finding real estate, which is broadly related to US5852810's objective of locating housing.
   • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Potentially anticipates elements of claims 1, 10, and 22, specifically concerning a "search system and method" for "real estate" or "housing information." The extent of anticipation would depend on whether US4870576A discloses the specific interactive graphical map features and recursive narrowing of geographic areas as claimed in US5852810.

2. US5032989A

   • Full Citation: US5032989A - Real estate search and location system and method.
   • Publication Date: July 16, 1991.
   • Priority Date: March 19, 1986.
   • Assignee: Realpro, Ltd.
   • Brief Description: Similar to US4870576A, this patent also describes a real estate search and location system and method, likely being a continuation or related patent from the same assignee.
   • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Similar to US4870576A, it potentially anticipates aspects of claims 1, 10, and 22, depending on the level of detail regarding graphical map interaction and geographic search refinement.

3. US5179652A

   • Full Citation: US5179652A - Method and apparatus for storing, transmitting and retrieving graphical and tabular data.
   • Publication Date: January 12, 1993.
   • Priority Date: December 13, 1989.
   • Assignee: Anthony I. Rozmanith.
   • Brief Description: This patent focuses on handling graphical and tabular data, which is relevant to US5852810's use of graphical maps and database information.
   • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Could potentially anticipate aspects of claims 1 and 10 related to "presenting a graphical map" and "storing a plurality of database records of real estate listing data," particularly concerning the technical mechanisms for storing, transmitting, and retrieving such data.

4. US5185857A

   • Full Citation: US5185857A - Method and apparatus for multi-optional processing, storing, transmitting and retrieving graphical and tabular data in a mobile transportation distributable and/or networkable communications and/or data processing system.
   • Publication Date: February 9, 1993.
   • Priority Date: December 13, 1989.
   • Assignee: Rozmanith A Martin.
   • Brief Description: This patent describes a system for processing, storing, transmitting, and retrieving graphical and tabular data, emphasizing multi-optional processing and networkability. This is highly relevant given US5852810's reliance on a networked system (World Wide Web) and database.
   • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Strong potential to anticipate aspects of claims 1, 10, and 22, particularly regarding the underlying data handling, networking, and user interaction with graphical data in a system. The "multi-optional processing" might relate to various search criteria or display options.

5. US5283731A

   • Full Citation: US5283731A - Computer-based classified ad system and method.
   • Publication Date: February 1, 1994.
   • Priority Date: January 19, 1992.
   • Assignee: Ec Corporation.
   • Brief Description: This patent describes a computer-based system for classified advertisements. This directly relates to the concept of listing and searching for housing information, which is a core function of US5852810.
   • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Could potentially anticipate the broader concept of a system for listing and searching information (e.g., housing), as covered in claims 1, 10, and 22. The specific method of "geographic specific" searching via interactive maps would need to be compared in detail.

6. US5325297A

   • Full Citation: US5325297A - Computer implemented method and system for storing and retrieving textual data and compressed image data.
   • Publication Date: June 28, 1994.
   • Priority Date: June 25, 1992.
   • Assignee: System Of Multiple-Colored Images For Internationally Listed Estates, Inc.
   • Brief Description: This patent describes a computer-implemented method for storing and retrieving textual and compressed image data, particularly for listed estates. This is highly relevant to US5852810's database storage of property information, including digitized pictures and video.
   • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): High potential to anticipate aspects of claims 1, 5, 6, 10, and 22 regarding the storage and retrieval of property listing data, including graphical elements (digitized pictures and video clips). The "internationally listed estates" aspect suggests a broad geographic scope.

7. US5335323A

   • Full Citation: US5335323A - Computer human interface with multiapplication display.
   • Publication Date: August 2, 1994.
   • Priority Date: January 5, 1987.
   • Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
   • Brief Description: This patent focuses on a computer-human interface with multi-application display capabilities. While general, a sophisticated user interface is critical to US5852810's interactive map system.
   • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Could anticipate general aspects of user interface design and display of information, as mentioned in claims 1, 10, and 22, but likely not the specific geographic search and map interaction features.

8. US5371845A

   • Full Citation: US5371845A - Technique for providing improved user feedback in an interactive drawing system.
   • Publication Date: December 6, 1994.
   • Priority Date: April 27, 1990.
   • Assignee: Ashlar, Inc.
   • Brief Description: This patent describes a technique for improved user feedback in an interactive drawing system. The interactive nature of US5852810's graphical maps suggests some overlap in principles.
   • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Might anticipate general concepts of "interactive graphical maps" or user feedback mechanisms, as mentioned in claims 1, 10, and 22, but likely not the specific application to geographic-specific information searching for housing.

9. US5532838A

   • Full Citation: US5532838A - Method & apparatus for dynamically creating and transmitting documents via facsimile equipment.
   • Publication Date: July 2, 1996.
   • Priority Date: December 27, 1993.
   • Assignee: Barbari; Edward P.
   • Brief Description: This patent describes a method and apparatus for dynamically creating and transmitting documents via facsimile equipment. While it deals with document transmission, it's less directly related to the core geographic search and display of housing information than other references.
   • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Unlikely to directly anticipate core claims of US5852810, as the focus is on fax transmission rather than interactive geographic search. It might be cited for broader concepts of dynamic document generation or transmission, which are peripheral to the invention.

10. US5664115A

    • Full Citation: US5664115A - Interactive computer system to match buyers and sellers of real estate, businesses and other property using the internet.
    • Publication Date: September 2, 1997.
    • Priority Date: June 7, 1995.
    • Assignee: Fraser; Richard.
    • Brief Description: This patent describes an interactive computer system for matching buyers and sellers of real estate and other properties using the Internet. This is highly relevant, as it describes a system for real estate transactions over the Internet, which is the underlying domain of US5852810.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): High potential to anticipate aspects of claims 1, 10, and 22, particularly concerning the use of the Internet for real estate listings and matching users with properties. The key distinction for US5852810 would lie in the specific interactive graphical map interface and recursive geographic narrowing.

11. US5721851A

    • Full Citation: US5721851A - Transient link indicators in image maps.
    • Publication Date: February 24, 1998.
    • Priority Date: July 31, 1995.
    • Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation.
    • Brief Description: This patent describes transient link indicators in image maps. US5852810 explicitly uses "image maps" for user interaction and selection of geographic areas.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Strong potential to anticipate aspects of claims 1, 10, and 22 related to the use of "graphical maps" and "image maps" for user selection and interaction. This reference could anticipate the technical implementation of how selectable regions on a map are handled, which is a fundamental part of US5852810's user interface.