Patent Publication Number: US-2023153932-A1

Title: Shared Video Presentation With Configurable Independent Communication Channels And Data

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     NONE 
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present inversion relates generally to a real estate showing management system, and more particularly relates to a multi-party virtual showing system for showing real estate properties. More particularly still, the present disclosure relates to a multi-party real estate virtual showing management system with dynamically configurable independent communication channels and data. 
     DESCRIPTION OF BACKGROUND 
     A real estate showing scheduling system manages and processes real estate property listings (also simply referred to herein as listings) and showings of listings. A listing is a real estate property that has been put up for, for example sale or leasing, by a property owner or managing entity. In the scheduling system, a listing is a logical representation of a real estate property, and often comprises identification and contact information (such as a mobile telephone number and an E-mail address) of the owner and/or tenants and one or more listing agents of the underlying real estate property. The listing agents and owners (also referred to herein as sellers) are also collectively referred to herein as listing contacts. Listing contacts of a listing may include other interested parties, without limitation to, a co-owner, a lasting office of the listing, a tenant of the underlying real estate property, a bank, a mortgage company, an appraiser or an inspector. Additionally, a listing includes a detailed description, such as an address and features, of the underlying real estate property. The listing may further include showing instructions and other details about the property, such as school information, tax information, marketing details. 
     A showing of a listing is a scheduled visit of the underlying real estate property by a showing agent, such as a real estate agent for a prospect buyer. A showing appointment (also referred to herein as an appointment) is a scheduled appointment that concerns or is regarding the showing of a listing. To schedule a showing, a showing agent, for instance, accesses a scheduling system to request a showing appointment on a selected listing. The showing appointment is made on the calendar of a listing contact (such as a listing agent, which is a real estate agent for the seller). Listing agents access the scheduling system running a scheduling software application, such as ShowingTime®&#39;s ShowingDesk™ software, to manage their calendars. For example, a listing agent marks some time slots where she/he accepts showing appointments and indicates some other time slots where she/he does not accept showing appointments. Additionally, the scheduling system allows the listing agent to indicate the procedure for the showings to be confirmed, such as no appointment required, confirmation by the seller required, etc. 
     After the showing appointment is requested, a request (through E-mail, telephone, text messaging, push notification, etc.) for confirmation is sent to the listing contact. When the confirmation Is received from the listing agent, the scheduling system notifies the showing agent that his/her appointment has been confirmed or accepted. The listing contact may decline the showing request. In such a case, a decline is received from the listing agent. In addition, the showing agent is notified of the decline. The time of the scheduled showing is referred to herein as showing appointment time with a beginning time and an end time, such as 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM on Apr. 3. 2020. 
     Usually, the showing agent accesses the property and shows the property to his client (such as a prospect buyer or an inspector, collectively referred to herein as buyer) at or around the showing appointment time. As used herein, showing the property is also referred to herein as showing the appointment. Both the showing agent and the buyer are physically present in the property. After the showing appointment time, the scheduling system oftentimes sends a request (such as a text message, an E-mail, a voice call, etc.) to the showing agent seeking feedback on the listing. In response, the showing agent sometimes sends a reply message with a showing feedback. 
     For various reasons, the buyer or the showing agent may not be able to physically visit the listing for showing. Instead, the buyer desires to view the inside and the outside of the property remotely while the showing agent or a different presenter physically visits the listing. For instance, the virtual showing is desired during a pandemic when social distancing is required. In such cases, the showing is conducted using, for example, a video conference software application. For example, they use the Zoom™ video conferencing software provided by Zoom Video Communications, Inc. to conduct the showing. 
     A Zoom™ meeting is first scheduled and later joined by the buyer, the showing agent, the listing agent, the seller and a presenter. The presenter visits the property with her/his electronic communication device&#39;s (such as a smart phone, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, etc.) camera aiming at various features of the property. The rest of the participants of the virtual showing view the features of the property on their own electronic communication devices at their own locations respectively. The presenter can be the showing agent, the listing agent, or a different individual (such as a professional videographer) under the control of the listing agent or the showing agent. 
     In this paradigm, there is no privacy or confidentiality between the buyer, the seller, the showing agent and the listing agent during the video conference session. There is no media (audio and/or video) or data independence between the parties either. It is thus not desirable since the buying side including the buyer and the showing agent and the selling side (including the listing agent and the seller) have a conflict of interest and prefers confidential and private communications within their respective side. The buyer intends to push down the price of the property down while the seller intends to push up the price. The buyer may express certain opinions or questions to the showing agent and do not want the same known to the selling side, and vice versa. 
     Accordingly, there is need for a new virtual real estate showing management system that shows properties virtually and maintains confidentiality between the buying and selling sides. The new virtual real estate showing management system provides dynamic configuration of the independent and confidential communication channel. In addition, the new virtual real estate showing management system maintains confidential showing communication data. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Generally speaking, pursuant to the various embodiments, the present disclosure provides a new real estate virtual showing management system. The new real estate virtual showing management system includes a server computer software application running a server computer, a remote showing agent computer software application running on a showing agent device, a remote buyer computer software application running on a buyer device, a remote listing agent computer software application running on a listing agent device, a remote seller computer software application running on a seller device, a remote presenter computer software application, and a media routing state machine maintained by the server computer software application for controlling media relay within the real estate virtual showing management system. The media includes audio and video. The server computer includes a server processing unit, a server network interface operatively coupled to the server processing unit, and a server memory operatively coupled to the server processing unit. The server computer software application is adapted to access a database. The showing agent device includes a processing unit, an audio out interface, an audio input interface, a user input interface, a memory, a video output interface, a video input interface and a network interface. The showing agent device is adapted to communicate with the server computer over the Internet. The buyer device includes a processing unit, an audio out interface, an audio input interface, a user input interface, a memory, a video output interface, a video input interface and a network interface. The buyer device is adapted to communicate with the server computer over the Internet. The listing agent device includes a processing unit, an audio out interface, an audio input interface, a user input interface, a memory, a video output interface, a video input interface and a network interface. The listing agent device is adapted to communicate with the server computer over the Internet. The seller device includes a processing unit, an audio out interface, an audio input interface, a user input interface, a memory, a video output interface, a video input interface and a network interface. The seller device adapted to communicate with the server computer over the Internet. The presenter device includes a processing unit, an audio out interface, an audio input interface, a user input interface, a memory, a video output interface, a video input interface and a network interface. The presenter device is adapted to communicate with the server computer over the Internet. The server computer software application is adapted to receive participation requests from the showing agent device, the buyer device, the listing agent device, the seller device and the presenter device to join a virtual showing of a listing. The server computer software application is also adapted to initialize the media routing state machine, receive video of the listing from the presenter device, and relay the video from the presenter device to the buyer device, the showing agent device, the listing agent device, and the seller device. The server computer software application is further adapted to receive media from the showing agent device, and relay the media from the showing agent device to the buyer device, the listing agent device, and the seller device. In addition, the server computer software application is adapted to receive media from the listing agent device, and relay the media from the listing agent device to the buyer device, the showing agent device, and the seller device. Moreover, the server computer software application is adapted to receive media from the buyer device, and relay the media from the buyer device to the showing agent device. The media from the buyer device is not relayed to the listing agent device or the seller device. Thereby a buyer side independent confidential communication channel is formed between the showing agent device and the buyer device. Furthermore, the server computer software application is adapted to receive media from the seller device, and relay the media from the seller device to the listing agent device, wherein the media from the seller device is not relayed to the showing agent device or the buyer device. Thereby a seller side independent confidential communication channel is formed between the listing agent device and the seller device. 
     In one implementation, the showing agent device and the presenter device are a single remote electronic communication device, and the remote showing agent computer software application is same as the remote presenter computer software application In another implementation, the listing agent device and the presenter device are a single remote electronic communication device, and the remote listing agent computer software application is same as the remote presenter computer software application. In one embodiment, the remote listing agent computer software application is same as the remote showing agent computer software application, and the remote buyer computer software application is same as the remote seller computer software application. 
     The server computer software application is further adapted to determine a virtual showing real-time feedback pair, receive a real-time feedback request during the virtual showing from the listing agent device, forward the real-time feedback request to the showing agent device, receive a real-time feedback to the real-time feedback request from the showing agent device, forward the real-time feedback to the listing agent device, and update a showing appointment corresponding to the virtual showing with the real-time feedback. The real-time feedback request is transcribed from audio, captured by the listing agent device, by the remote listing agent computer software application or the server computer software application. The real-time feedback is transcribed from audio, captured by the showing agent device, by the remote showing agent computer software application or the server computer software application. The server computer software application is also adapted to determine a set of confidential audio communication pairs between the showing agent device, the buyer device, the listing agent device and the seller device; receive confidential communication audio from a source device; determine a target device corresponding to the source device based on the set of confidential audio communication pairs; and forward the confidential communication audio to the target device alone. 
     In addition, the server computer software application is adapted to receive a disengagement event from the buyer device, the disengagement event determined by the remote buyer computer software application; process the disengagement event to generate user engagement measurement data; receive a user engagement measurement data from the listing agent device, and forward the user engagement measurement data to the listing agent device. Moreover, the server computer software application is adapted to determine an auto-tag of a feature, being virtually shown, of the listing from the video of the listing from the presenter device, save the auto-tag and a corresponding timestamp; forward the video of the listing from the presenter device with the auto-tag to the showing agent device, the buyer device, the listing agent device and the seller device; and generate an auto-tag table or content using the auto-tag and the timestamp. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Although the characteristic features of this disclosure will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself, and the manner in which it may be made and used, may be better understood by referring to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views and in which: 
         FIG.  1    is a simplified block diagram of a virtual real estate showing management system in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure. 
         FIG.  2    is a simplified block diagram of an electronic communication device for virtual real estate showings in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure. 
         FIG.  3    is a simplified block diagram of a virtual real estate showing management system server in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure. 
         FIG.  4    is a simplified flowchart illustrating a process by which a showing management system server manages showing appointments and virtual showings in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure. 
         FIG.  5    is an illustrative screenshot of a virtual showing appointment on an electronic communication device in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure. 
         FIG.  6    is an illustrative screenshot of a virtual showing on an electronic communication device in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure. 
         FIG.  7    is an illustrative screenshot of a virtual showing appointment on an electronic communication device in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure. 
         FIG.  8    is an illustrative screenshot of a virtual showing on an electronic communication device in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure. 
         FIG.  9    is an illustrative screenshot of a virtual showing appointment on an electronic communication device in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure. 
         FIG.  10    is an illustrative screenshot of a virtual showing on an electronic communication device in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure. 
         FIG.  11    is an illustrative screenshot of a recorded virtual showing on an electronic communication device in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure. 
         FIG.  12    is an illustrative screenshot of a virtual showing appointment on an electronic communication device in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure. 
         FIG.  13    is an illustrative screenshot of a virtual showing on an electronic communication device in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure. 
         FIG.  14    is a flowchart illustrating a process by which a showing management system manages a virtual showing in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure. 
         FIG.  15 A  is a block diagram illustrating a media routing state machine for a virtual showing in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure. 
         FIG.  15 B  is a block diagram illustrating a media routing state machine for a virtual showing in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure. 
         FIG.  16    is a flowchart illustrating a process by which a showing management system manages media of a virtual showing in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure. 
         FIG.  17    is a flowchart illustrating a process by which a showing management system manages real-time feedback of a virtual showing in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure 
         FIG.  18    is a flowchart illustrating a process by which a showing management system manages independent confidential audio communication channels of a virtual showing in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure. 
         FIG.  19    is a flowchart illustrating a process by which a showing management system manages a participant&#39;s engagement of a virtual showing in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure. 
         FIG.  20    is a flowchart illustrating a process by which a showing management system auto-tags a property feature during a virtual showing in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure. 
     
    
    
     A person of ordinary skills in the art will appreciate that elements of the figures above are illustrated for simplicity and clarity, and are not necessarily drawn to scale. The dimensions of some elements in the figures may have been exaggerated relative to other elements to help understanding of the present teachings. Furthermore, a particular order in which certain elements, parts, components, modules, steps, actions, events and/or processes are described or illustrated may not be actually required. A person of ordinary skills in the art will appreciate that, for the purpose of simplicity and clarity of illustration, some commonly known and well-understood elements that are useful and/or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment may not be depicted in order to provide a clear view of various embodiments in accordance with the present teachings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Turning to the Figures and to  FIG.  1    in particular, a real estate virtual showing management system in accordance with the present teachings is shown and generally indicated at  100 . The virtual real estate showing management system  100  is adapted to perform methods in accordance with the present teachings to manage and conduct showings of real estate properties. In one illustrative embodiment, the system  100  includes a showing management system  110  which comprises one or more servers (such as a cloud server system, a server farm or a set of individual servers) indicated at  104 , and one or more databases  112  for storing listing contacts, listings, showing appointments, showing media, showing data, etc. The databases  112  (such as a cloud database system, a relational database system, etc.) are operatively coupled to the servers  110  via, for example, networking links. The system  100  further includes remote electronic communication devices  130 ,  132 ,  134 ,  136  and  138  communicating with the server system  110  via the Internet  102 . The electronic communication devices  130 - 138  can be smartphone, tablet computers (such as iPAD™), laptop computers or desktop computers. They access the Internet  102  through networks  140 ,  142 ,  144 ,  146  and  148 . The networks  140 - 148  can be, for example, Wi-Fi networks or public cellular networks. In the illustrative embodiment, the electronic communication devices  130 - 138  are operated by and associated with a showing agent  120 , a buyer  122 , a listing agent  124 , a seller  126  and a virtual showing presenter  128  respectively. 
     The servers  110  run a specialized server software application for scheduling showings and managing listings as set forth in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,035,480 and 8,145,352 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/757,142, which are hereby incorporated by reference. The showing appointment scheduling application is physically housed in a single server or distributed across multiple servers within the scheduling system  110 . Moreover, the showing management system  110  integrates with or connects to one or more listing services (not shown) to update the database  112  of real estate property listings. 
     The specialized server software application includes one or more computer software programs coded using computer programming languages, such as Java C#, etc. The specialized server software application also manages virtual showings. For instance, it generates one or more URLs for a particular virtual showing. When the URLs are accessed by the devices  130 - 138 , the specialized server software application starts a virtual showing and manages the independent and confidential communication channels for audio, video and/or data. It relays media (audio data and/or video data) and other types of data (such as feedback and instructions). It also records the virtual showing, and serves it for later playback requests from the devices  130 - 138 . For ease of reference, data that is neither audio nor video is referred to herein as digital data. 
     In accordance with the present teachings, as shown in  FIG.  3   , each server system  110  includes a server processing unit  302 , a server network interface  306  through which the server system  110  accesses the Internet  102  and communicates with the database  112 , and some amount of server memory  303 . The network interface  306  and the memory  308  are operatively coupled to the processing unit  302 . The server system  110  further includes a specially server computer software application  304  executed by the processing unit  302  for managing showings. 
     Each of the electronic communication devices  130 - 138 , as shown in  FIG.  2   . includes a processing unit  202 , an audio output interface (such as a speaker)  206 , an audio input interface (such as a microphone)  206 , a user input interface (such as a touch screen)  210 , some amount of memory  212 . a video output interface (such as a display screen)  214 , a video input interface (such as a camera)  216 , and a network interface  218 . The elements  206 - 218  are operatively coupled to the processing unit  202 . Each of the electronic communication devices  130 - 138  further includes a special remote computer software application  204  executed by the processing unit  204 . The special remote computer software application  204  includes one or more computer software programs coded using computer programming languages. 
     The special remote computer software application  204 , such as a mobile app, may provide different features to different types of users or different user interfaces for different types of users. The users include the showing agent  120 , the buyer  122 , the listing agent  124 , the seller  126  and the showing presenter  128 . The special remote computer software application  204  can be a different computer software application for different types of users as well. It can also be a world wide web based computer program loaded and executed by a web browser. It should be noted that the presenter  123  can a different individual from the showing agent  120  and the listing agent  124 . In such a case, the presenter  128  is managed by either the showing agent  120  or the listing agent  124 . However, both the showing agent  120  and the listing agent  124  can be the presenter  128  who physically shows a listing. In such a case, the devices  130  and  138  are the same device, or the devices  134  and  138  are the same device. 
     The special remote computer software application  204  running on the showing agent device  130  is also referred to herein as a remote showing agent computer software application. The special remote computer software application  204  running on the buyer device  132  is also referred to herein as a remote buyer computer software application. The special remote computer software application  204  running on the listing agent device  134  is also referred to herein as a remote listing agent computer software application. The special remote computer software application  204  running on the seller device  136  is also referred to herein as a remote seller computer software application. The special remote computer software application  204  running on the presenter device  138  is also referred to herein as a remote presenter computer software application. 
     The showing agent  120  operates the device  130  or a different computer (such as an office desktop computer) to access the server  110  to make a showing appointment for virtually showing a particular listing. The corresponding listing agent  124  operates the device  134  or a different computer (such as an office desktop computer) to confirm or decline the virtual showing request. The server  110  creates and stores the appointment into the database  112 . When the parties participate in the virtual showing of the listing, they view the appointment and start the virtual showing. 
     The process by which the special server computer software application  304  manages the showing appointment and the virtual showing is further illustrated by reference to  FIG.  4   . Referring to  FIG.  4   , a flowchart diagram illustrating the process is shown and generally indicated at  400 . At  402 , the special server application  304  receives a request for a showing appointment of a particular listing from a device operated by the showing agent  120 . At  404 , the special application  304  sends a confirmation request to the listing agent  124  via, for example, an E-mail message, a text message, an application message, etc. At  406 , the special application  304  receives a confirmation from the listing agent  124  for showing the listing at a particular time. At  408 , the special application  304  creates the virtual showing appointment. At  410 , the special software application  304  configures the virtual showing appointment to indicate that it is intended for virtual showing. At  412 , the special computer software application  304  stores the virtual showing appointment into the database  112 , 
     At the time of the virtual showing, the participants  120 - 128  operate the devices  130 - 138  to access the respective special remote computer software application  204  for the virtual showing. The special remote computer software application  204  communicates with the server application  304  to retrieve the showing appointment data indicating the virtual showing. The special remote computer software application  204  then indicates the virtual showing to the corresponding user. The user can then join the virtual showing. 
     At  414 , the special server application  304  receives the requests for the virtual showing appointment from the participates of the virtual showing. At  416 , it returns the virtual showing appointment to the devices  130 - 138 . In a different implementation, the elements  414 - 416  are not performed. Instead, at  418 , the special server computer application  304  sends virtual showing indicators, such as Universal Resource Link (URLs), to the participates via, for example, E-mail messages, text messages, etc. They can access the indicators to join the virtual showing. 
       FIGS.  5  through  13    further illustrate the virtual showing experienced by the participants  120 - 128 . Turning first to  FIG.  5   , an illustrative screen of the special computer application  204  running on the showing agent device  130  is shown and generally indicated at  500 . The interface  500  displayed on the device  130  shows the virtual showing appointment to the showing agent  120 . It includes a title area  502 , a showing time and a showing appointment status area  504 , listing details  506 , a virtual showing selector  503  corresponding to the virtual showing indicator, a virtual showing playback selector  510 , an appointment action area  512  and other showing appointment data. 
     Selecting (by clicking or touching) the virtual showing selector  508  causes the special computer application  204  to switch into the virtual showing mode, which is further illustrated by reference to  FIG.  6   . Referring to  FIG.  6   , an illustrative screen of the special computer application  204  running on the showing agent device  130  is shown and generally indicated at  600 . The interface  600  displayed on the showing agent device  130  shows the virtual showing of the real estate property. The features of the interface  600  are provided by the special computer application  204 . 
     The video of the features of the property being shown by the presenter  128  using the device  138  is indicated at  602 . The camera  216  of the device  138  captures the video images of the property and sends them to the device  130  either directly or through a relay server (also referred to herein as a routing server), such as a media relay server  104 . The audio of the presenter  128  is captured by the microphone  208  of the device  138 , and transmitted to the showing agent device  130  either directly or through the relay server  104 . The audio of the presenter  128  is then played back through the speaker  206  of the showing agent device  130 . It should be noted that, when the showing agent  120  is the presenter  138 , the audio of the presenter  138  is not played back on the device  130  to avoid echoing. 
     The seller indicator is shown at  650 . Since the seller  126  has conflicting interests against the showing agent  120  and the buyer  122 , the seller  126  is not shown in the seller indicator  650 . In other words, the showing agent  120  cannot view the seller  126  and the identity (such as the seller&#39;s  126  face, body, setting, etc.) of the seller  126  is confidential and kept away from the buying side. The video images of the seller  126  captured by the seller device  136  are not sent to the showing agent device  130 , or not displayed on the device  130 . The showing agent  120  and the seller  126  cannot speak to or hear from each other either. The muted audio status icon  652  indicates the fact and is not an operable control. 
     The indicator of the buyer  122  is shown at  620 . The video images of the buyer  122  are captured by the camera  216  of the buyer device  132  and transmitted to the showing agent device  130  either directly or through the media relay server  104 . In addition, the buyer indicator  620  includes a buyer audio control  622  and a buyer video control  624 . In one implementation, the controls  622 - 624  are clickable buttons. The showing agent  120  operates the controls  622 - 624  to turn on or off the audio and video of the buyer  122  respectively. The audio of the buyer  122  is captured by the microphone  208  of the device  132  and sent to the showing agent device  130  either directly or through the media relay server  104  when the audio control  622  is turned on (meaning enabled). The audio of the buyer  122  is then played back via the speaker  206  of the showing agent device  139 . When the audio control  622  is disabled (meaning turned off), the audio of the buyer  122  is not sent to the showing agent device  130  or not played back on the showing agent device  130 . 
     The video of the buyer  122  is captured by the camera  216  of the device  132  and sent to the showing agent device  130  either directly or through the media relay server  104  when the video control  624  is turned on (meaning enabled). The video images of the buyer  122  is then displayed inside the buyer indicator  620  on the display screen  214  of the showing agent device  130 . When the video control  624  is disabled (meaning turned off), the video of the buyer  122  is not sent to the showing agent device  130  or not rendered on the showing agent device  130 . 
     The indicator of the showing agent  120  is shown at  630 . The video images of the showing agent  120  herself/himself are captured by the camera  216  of the showing agent device  130  and shown at  630 . The Indicator  630  shows what other participates of the virtual showings see of the showing agent  120 . 
     The listing agent  124  is indicated  640 . The video images and audio of the listing agent  124  are captured by the camera  216  and the microphone  208  of the listing agent device  134  respectively, and transmitted to the showing agent device  130  either directly or through the media relay server  104 . The video images of the listing agent  124  is then displayed inside the listing agent indicator  640 ; the audio of the listing agent  124  is played beck through the speaker  206  of the showing agent device  130 . 
     The listing agent indicator  640  also includes a listing agent audio control  642  and a listing agent video control  644 . The controls  642  allow the showing agent  120  to enable or disable the corresponding media data (audio or video) from the listing agent device  134 . When the controls  642 - 644  are disabled the corresponding media data is not transmitted to the showing agent device  120  or not presented on the showing agent device  120 . Wien the controls  642 - 644  are enabled, the corresponding media data is transmitted to the showing agent device  120  and presented on the showing agent device  120  at  640 . 
     The special remote computer software application  204  further provides a termination control  604 , a recording control  606 , an audio mute control  608 , a video mute control  610  and a confidential audio control  612 . When the termination control  604  is clicked, the special computer application  204  terminates the showing agent device&#39;s  130  participation in the virtual showing. In such a case, the special remote computer software application  204  is said to exit from the virtual showing, 
     When the recording control  606  is turned on, the special remote computer software application  204  notifies the server  110  to start recording of the virtual showing. In response, the server  110  starts recording of the virtual showing. When it is turned off from the turned on mode, the special remote computer software application  204  notifies the server  110  to stop recording of the virtual showing. In response, the server  110  stops recording of the virtual showing and saves the recorded media. 
     When the audio mute control  608  is turned on, the special remote computer software application  204  does not transmit any audio of the showing agent  120  to the devices  132 - 138  When it is turned off, the special remote computer software application  204  transmits the audio captured by the microphone  208  of the showing agent device  130  to the devices  132 - 138 . It should be noted that the audio of the showing agent  120  may not be transmitted or relayed to a device that has disabled the audio of the showing agent  130 . Alternatively, pressing the audio mute control  608  causes the special remote computer software application  204  to bring up a selection list that allows the showing agent  120  to select which party or parties to mute or unmute the audio feed for. 
     When the video mute control  610  is turned on, the special remote computer software application  204  does not transmit any video images of the showing agent  120  to the devices  132 - 138 . When it is turned off the special remote computer software application  204  transmits the video captured by the camera  216  of the showing agent device  130  to the devices  132 - 138 . It should be noted that the video data of the showing agent  120  may not be transmitted or relayed to a device that has disabled the audio of the showing agent  120 . Alternatively, pressing the video mute control  610  causes the special remote computer software application  204  to bring up a selection list that allows the showing agent  120  to select which party or parties to mute or unmute the video feed for. 
     When the confidential audio control  612  is turned on, a confidential audio communication channel between the showing agent  120  and the buyer  122  is established in the confidential audio mode, the audio of the showing agent  120  is only sent to the buyer device  132  either directly or through the media relay server  104 . In addition, the audio is not transmitted to the listing agent device  134 , the presenter device  138  or the seller device  136 . When the confidential audio control  612  is turned off, the confidential audio mode is then turned off; and the audio of the showing agent  120  is no longer limited to the buyer device  132 . Accordingly, the audio of the showing agent  120  is transmitted to the presenter device  138 , the listing agent device  134  and the buyer device  132  either directly or through the media relay server  104 . In a different implementation, the confidential audio control  612  is turned on when it is pressed down and turned off when it is released. 
     Referring to  FIG.  7   , an illustrative screen of the special computer application  204  running on the buyer device  132  is shown and generally indicated at  700 . The interface  700  displayed on the device  132  shows the virtual showing appointment to the buyer  122 . It includes a title area  702 , a showing time and a showing appointment status area  704 , a showing agent and property area  706 , a virtual showing selector  708  corresponding to the virtual showing indicator, a virtual showing playback selector  710 , and other listing and showing appointment data. 
     Clicking the virtual showing selector  708  causes the special computer application  204  to switch into the virtual showing mode, which is further illustrated by reference to  FIG.  8   . Referring to  FIG.  8   , an illustrative screen of the special computer application  204  running on the buyer device  132  is shown and generally indicated at  800 . The interface  800  displayed on the buyer device  132  shows the virtual showing of the real estate property. The features of the interface  800  are provided by the special computer application  204 . 
     The video of the features of the property being shown by the presenter  128  using the device  138  is indicated at  802 . The camera  216  of the device  138  captures the video images of the property and sends them to the buyer device  132  either directly or through a relay server, such as a media relay server  104 . The audio of the presenter  128  is captured by the microphone  208  of the device  138 , and transmitted to the buyer device  132  either directly or through the relay server  104 . The audio of the presenter  128  is then played back through the speaker  206  of the buyer device  132 . 
     The seller indicator is shown at  804 . Since the seller  126  has conflicting interests against the showing agent  120  and the buyer  122 , the seller  126  is not shown in the seller indicator  804 . In other words, the buyer  122  cannot view the seller  126  and the identity (such as the seller&#39;s  126  face, body, setting, etc.) of the seller  126  is confidential and kept away from the buying side. The video images of the seller  126  captured by the seller device  136  are not sent to the buyer device  132 , or not displayed on the device  132 . 
     The listing agent  124  is indicated  806 . The video images and audio of the listing agent  124  are captured by the camera  216  and the microphone  208  of the listing agent device  134  respectively, and transmitted to the buyer device  132  either directly or through the media relay server  104 . The video images of the listing agent  124  is then displayed in the listing agent indicator  806 ; the audio of the listing agent  124  is played back through the speaker  206  of the buyer device  132 . In one implementation, the interface  800  does not allow the buyer  122  to turn off the audio or the video image of the listing agent  124 . 
     The showing agent  120  is indicated  808 . The video images and audio of the showing agent  120  are captured by the camera  216  and the microphone  208  of the showing agent device  130  respectively, and transmitted to the buyer device  132  either directly or through the media relay server  104 . The video images of the showing agent  120  is then displayed in the showing agent indicator  808 ; the audio of the showing agent  120  is played back through the speaker  206  of the buyer device  132 . In one implementation, the interface  800  does not allow the buyer  122  to turn off the audio or the video image of the showing agent  120 . 
     The indicator of the buyer  122  herself/himself is shown at  810 . The video images of the buyer  122  herself/himself are captured by the camera  216  of the buyer device  132  and shown at  810 . The indicator  810  shows what other participates of the virtual showings see of the buyer  122 . 
     The special remote computer software application  204  further provides a termination control  812 , a recording control  814 , an audio mute control  816 , a video mute control  818  and a confidential audio control  820 . When the termination control  812  is clicked, the special computer application  204  terminates the buyer device&#39;s  132  participation in the virtual showing. In such a case, the special remote computer software application  204  is said to exit from the virtual showing. 
     When the recording control  814  is turned on, the special remote computer software application  204  notifies the server  110  to start recording of the virtual showing. In response, the server  110  starts recording of the virtual showing. When it is turned off from the turned on mode, the special remote computer software application  204  notifies the server  110  to stop recording of the virtual showing. In response, the server  110  stops recording of the virtual showing and saves the recorded media. 
     When the audio mute control  816  is turned on, the special remote computer software application  204  does not transmit any audio of the buyer  122  to the devices  132 - 138  or additional participates. When it is turned off, the special remote computer software application  204  transmits the audio captured by the microphone  208  of the buyer device  132  to the showing agent device  130  and other applicable devices. The audio of the buyer  122  may not be transmitted or relayed to a device that has disabled the audio of the buyer  132 . Alternatively, pressing the audio mute control  816  causes the special remote computer software application  204  to bring up a selection list that allows the buyer  122  to select which party or parties to mute the audio feed for. 
     When the video mute control  818  is turned on, the special remote computer software application  204  does not transmit any video images of the buyer  122  to the devices  132 - 138 . When it is turned off, the special remote computer software application  204  transmits the video captured by the camera  216  of the buyer device  132  to the showing agent device  130  and other applicable devices (such as those of additional participants from the showing agent&#39;s  120  office). The video data of the buyer  122  may not be transmitted or relayed to a device that has disabled the audio of the buyer  122 . Alternatively, pressing the video mute control  813  causes the special remote computer software application  204  to bring up a selection list that allows the buyer  122  to select which party or parties to mute the video feed for. 
     When the confidential audio control  820  is turned on, a confidential audio exchange channel between the showing agent device  130  and the buyer device  132  is established. In the confidential audio mode, the audio of the buyer  122  is only sent to the showing agent  120  either directly or through the media relay server  104 . In addition, the audio is not transmitted to the listing agent device  134 , the presenter device  138  or the seller device  136 . When the confidential audio control  820  is turned off, the confidential audio mode is then turned off; and the audio of the buyer  122  is no longer limited to the showing agent device  130 . Accordingly, the audio of the buyer  122  is transmitted to, for example, the presenter device  138  when the presenter  128  is under control of the showing agent  120  either directly or through the media relay server  104 . In a different implementation, the confidential audio control  820  is turned on when it is pressed down and turned off when it is released. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  9   , an illustrative screen of the special computer application  204  running on the listing agent device  134  is shown and generally indicated at  900 . The interface  900  displayed on the device  134  shows the virtual showing appointment to the listing agent  124 . It includes a title area  902 , a showing time and a showing appointment status area  904 , listing details  906 , a virtual showing selector  908  corresponding to the virtual showing indicator, a virtual showing playback selector  910 , an appointment action area  912  and other showing appointment data. 
     Selecting (by clicking or touching) the virtual showing selector  908  causes the special computer application  204  to switch into the virtual showing mode, which is further illustrated by reference to  FIG.  10   . Referring to  FIG.  10   , an illustrative screen of the special computer application  204  running on the listing agent device  134  is shown and generally indicated at  1000 . The interface  1000  displayed on the listing agent device  134  shows the virtual showing of the real estate property. The features of the interface  1000  are provided by the special computer application  204 . 
     The video of the features of the property being shown by the presenter  128  using the device  138  is indicated at  1002 . The camera  216  of the device  138  captures the video images of the property and sends them to the device  134  either directly or through a relay server, such as a media relay server  104 . The audio of the presenter  128  is captured by the microphone  208  of the device  138 , and transmitted to the listing agent device  134  either directly or through the relay server  104 . The audio of the presenter  128  is then played back through the speaker  206  of the listing agent device  134 . It should be noted that, when the listing agent  124  is the presenter  138 , the audio of the presenter  138  is not played back on the device  134  to avoid echoing. 
     The seller indicator is shown at  1010 . the video images of the seller  126  captured by the seller device  136  transmitted to the device  134  either directly or through the media relay server  104 , and displayed at  1010 . In addition, the seller indicator  1010  includes a seller audio control  1012  and a seller video control  1014 . In one implementation, the controls  1012 - 1014  are clickable buttons. The listing agent  124  operates the controls  1012 - 1014  to turn on or off the audio and video of the seller  126  respectively. The audio of the seller  126  is captured by the microphone  208  of the device  136  and sent to the listing agent device  134  either directly or through the media relay server  104  when the audio control  1012  is turned on (meaning enabled). The audio of the seller  126  is then played back via the speaker  206  of the listing agent device  134 . When the audio control  1012  is disabled (meaning turned off), the audio of the seller  126  is not sent to the listing agent device  134  or not played back on the listing agent device  134 . 
     The indicator of the buyer  122  is shown at  1040 . Since the seller  126  has conflicting interests against the listing agent  124  and the seller  126 , the buyer  122  is not shown in the buyer indicator  1040 . In one implementation, only an anonymous icon is shown. In other words, the listing agent  134  cannot view the buyer  122  and the identity (such as the buyer&#39;s  122  face, body, setting, etc.) is confidential and kept away from the selling side. The video images of the buyer  122  captured by the buyer device  132  are not sent to the listing agent device  134 , or not displayed on the device  134 . The listing agent  124  and the buyer  122  cannot speak to or hear from each other either. The muted audio status icon  1042  indicates the fact and is not an operable control. 
     The indicator of the listing agent  124  herself/himself is shown at  1020 . The video images of the listing agent  124  herself/himself are captured by the camera  216  of the listing agent device  134  and shown at  1020 . The indicator  1020  shows what other participates of the virtual showings see of the listing agent  124 . 
     The showing agent  120  is indicated  1030 . The video images and audio of the showing agent  120  are captured by the camera  216  and the microphone  208  of the showing agent device  130  respectively, and transmitted to the listing agent device  134  either directly or through the media relay server  104 . The video images of the showing agent  120  is then displayed at the showing agent indicator  1030 ; the audio of the showing agent  120  is played back through the speaker  206  of the listing agent device  134 . 
     The showing agent indicator  1030  also includes a showing agent audio control  1032  and a showing agent video control  1034 . The controls  1032  allow the listing agent  134  to enable or disable the corresponding media data (audio or video) from the showing agent device  130 . When the controls  1032 - 1034  are disabled, the corresponding media data is not transmitted to the listing agent device  134  or not presented on the listing agent device  134 . When the controls  1032 - 1034  are enabled, the corresponding media data is transmitted to the listing agent device  134  and presented on the listing agent device  134 . 
     The special remote computer software application  204  further provides a termination control  1050 , a real-time audio feedback control  1052 , an engagement control  1054 , a recording control  1056 , an audio mute control  1058 , a video mute control  1060  and a confidential audio control  1062 . When the termination control  1060  is clicked, the special computer application  204  terminates the listing agent&#39;s  1024  participation in the virtual showing. In such a case, the special remote computer software application  204  is said to exit from the virtual showing. 
     When the real-time audio feedback control  1052  is pressed and held, the listing agent  124  speaks out her/his request to the showing agent  120  for her/his feedback on the particular feature (such as the dining room, the kitchen, etc.) being shown and indicated at  1002 . The particular property feature that is being shown and indicated at  1002  is also referred to herein as the active feature. The special remote computer software application  204  retrieves the audio data, representing the listing agent&#39;s  124  real-time feedback request and captured by the microphone  203  of the listing agent device  134 . The audio is not transmitted to other devices  130 ,  136 - 138  or not played back on the same. The special remote computer software application  204  transcribes the audio into text and displays it on the display screen  214  of the listing agent device  134 . The text is a real-time feedback request. It is sent to the showing agent device  132  either directly or through the server  110 . Alternatively, the audio data (i.e., the real-time feedback request in audio format) is sent to the showing agent device  132  either directly or through the server  110 . The server  110  may transcribe the audio into text and forwards the text to the showing agent device  132 . 
     When the special remote computer software application  204  running on the showing agent device  130  receives the real-time feedback request, it is presented to the showing agent  120 . If it is in text format, it is displayed on the display screen  214  of the showing agent device  130 . If it is in audio format, it is played back via the speaker  205  of the showing agent device  130 . In response, the showing agent  120  orally provides a response. The special remote computer software application  204  running on the showing agent device  130  captures the audio of the real-time feedback response. It does not send the response to anyone except the listing agent device  134 . In one implementation, special remote computer software application  204  transcribes the response into text and sends it to the listing agent device  134  either directly or via the server  110 , which then displays the response on the device  134 . Alternatively, the audio response is sent out, and transcribed by the server  110  or the listing agent device  134 . Even when the communication is conducted directly between the device  130  and the device  134 , the real-time feedback request and response are also sent to the server  110 . 
     The server  110  modifies the listing by adding the real-time feedback request and response (referred to herein as a virtual showing real-time feedback) into the listing stored in the database  112 . In other words, the listing is updated with the virtual showing real-time feedback in the database  112 . As used herein, the server  110  is said to have received the real-time feedback request originated from the listing agent device  134  and the real-time feedback response originated from the showing agent device  130 . The real-time feedback response is also referred to herein as the real-time virtual showing feedback. 
     When the real-time audio feedback control  1052  is released, the special remote computer software application  204  then ends the real-time audio feedback mode. Alternatively, the special remote computer software application  204  enters the real-time audio feedback mode when the real-time audio feedback control  1052  is pressed and released; and exits the real time audio feedback mode when the real-time audio feedback control  1052  is pressed and released again. In such a case, the real-time audio feedback control  1052  is a toggle button. When the engagement, control  1054  is clicked, the special remote computer software application  204  requests the server  110  to provide the buyer&#39;s  122  engagement data, and displays the same on the display screen  214  of the listing agent device  134 . 
     When he recording control  1056  is turned on, the special remote computer software application  204  notifies the server  110  to start recording of the virtual showing. In response, the server  110  starts recording of the virtual showing. When it is turned off from the turned on mode, the special remote computer software application  204  notifies the server  110  to stop recording of the virtual showing. In response, the server  110  stops recording of the virtual showing and saves the recorded media. 
     When the audio mute control  1058  is turned on, the special remote computer software application  204  does not transmit any audio of the listing agent  124  to the devices  130 - 138 . When it is turned off, the special remote computer software application  204  transmits the audio captured by the microphone  208  of the listing agent device  134  to the devices  130 ,  134 , and  138 . The audio of the listing agent  124  may not be transmitted or relayed to a device that has disabled the audio of the listing agent  134 . Alternatively, pressing the audio mute control  1058  causes the special remote computer software application  204  to bring up a selection list that allows the listing agent  124  to select which party or parties to mute or unmute the audio feed for. 
     When the video mute control  1060  is turned on, the special remote computer software application  204  does not transmit any video images of the listing agent  134  to the devices  132 - 138 . When it is turned off, the special remote computer software application  204  transmits the video captured by the camera  216  of the listing agent device  134  to the devices  132 - 138 . The video data of the listing agent  124  may not be transmitted or relayed to a device that has disabled the audio of the listing agent  124 . Alternatively, pressing the video mute control  1060  causes the special remote computer software application  204  to bring up a selection list that allows the listing agent  124  to select which party or parties to mute or unmute the video feed for. 
     When the confidential audio control  1062  is turned on, a confidential audio communication channel between the listing agent  124  and the seller  126  is established. In the confidential audio mode, the audio of the listing agent  124  is only sent to the seller device  136  either directly or through the media relay server  104 . In addition, the audio is not transmitted to the showing agent device  130 , the presenter device  138  or the buyer device  132 . When the confidential audio control  1062  is turned off, the confidential audio mode is then turned off; and the audio of the listing agent  124  is no longer limited to the seller device  132 . Accordingly, the audio of the listing agent  124  is transmitted to the presenter device  138 , the showing agent device  130  and the seller device  138  either directly or through the media relay server  104 . 
     Selecting (by clicking or touching) the virtual showing playback selector  910  causes the special computer application  204  to switch into the virtual showing playback mode, which is further illustrated by reference to  FIG.  11   . Referring to  FIG.  11   , an illustrative screen of the special computer application  204  running on the listing agent device  134  is shown and generally indicated at  1100 . The interface  1100  displayed on the listing agent device  134  shows the virtual showing of the real estate property that is previously recorded. The features of the interface  1100  are provided by the special computer application  204 . 
     The video of recording is shown at  1102 . A playback control panel is shown at  1104 . The playback control panel  1104  includes a playback pause control  1106 , a playback stop control  1108 , a playback backward control  1110 , a playback play control  1112 , a playback forward control  1114 , and a playback progress bar  1016 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  12   , an illustrative screen of the special computer application  204  running on the seller device  136  is shown and generally indicated at  1200 . The interface  1200  displayed on the device  136  shows the virtual showing appointment to the seller  126 . It includes a title area  1202 , a showing time and a showing appointment status area  1204 , a listing agent and property area  1206 , a virtual showing selector  1208  corresponding to the virtual showing indicator, a virtual showing playback selector  1210 , and other listing and showing appointment data. 
     Clicking the virtual showing selector  1208  causes the special computer application  204  to switch into the virtual showing mode, which is further illustrated by reference to  FIG.  13   . Referring to  FIG.  13   , an illustrative screen of the special computer application  204  running on the seller device  136  is shown and generally indicated at  1300 . The interface  1300  displayed on the seller device  136  shows the virtual showing of the real estate property. The features of the interface  1300  are provided by the special computer application  204 . 
     The video of the features of the property being shown by the presenter  128  using the device  138  is indicated at  1302 . The camera  216  of the device  138  captures the video images of the property and sends them to the seller device  136  either directly or through a relay server such as a media relay server  104 . The audio of the presenter  128  is captured by the microphone  208  of the device  138 , and transmitted to the seller device  136  either directly or through the relay server  104 . The audio of the presenter  128  is then played back through the speaker  206  of the seller device  136 . 
     The buyer indicator is shown at  1304 . Since the seller  126  has conflicting interests against the listing agent  124  and the buyer  122 , the buyer  122  is not shown in the buyer indicator  1304 . Only an anonymous icon is shown. In other words, the seller  126  cannot view the buyer  122  and the identity (such as the buyer&#39;s  122  face, body, setting, etc.) of the buyer  122  is confidential and kept away from the selling side. The video images of the buyer  122  captured by the buyer device  132  are not sent to the seller device  136 , or not displayed on the device  136 . 
     The indicator of the seller  129  is shown at  1306 . The video images of the seller  126  herself/himself are captured by the camera  216  of the seller device  136  and shown at  1306 . The indicator  1306  shows what other participates of the virtual showings see of the seller  126 . 
     The showing agent  120  is indicated  1308 . The video images and audio of the showing agent  120  are captured by the camera  216  and the microphone  208  of the showing agent device  130  respectively, and transmitted to the seller device  136  either directly or through the media relay server  104 . The video images of the showing agent  120  is then displayed at the showing agent indicator  1308 ; the audio of the showing agent  120  is played back through the speaker  206  of the seller device  136 . In one implementation, the interface  1300  does not allow the seller  126  to turn off the audio or the video image of the showing agent  120 . 
     The listing agent  124  is indicated  1310 . The video images and audio of the listing agent  124  are captured by the camera  216  and the microphone  208  of the listing agent device  134  respectively, and transmitted to the seller device  136  either directly or through the media relay server  104 . The video images of the listing agent  124  is then displayed at the listing agent indicator  1310 ; the audio of the listing agent  124  is played back through the speaker  206  of the seller device  136 . In one implementation, the interface  300  does not allow the seller  126  to turn off the audio or the video image of the listing agent  124 . 
     The special remote computer software application  204  further provides a termination control  1320 , a recording control  1322 , an audio mute control  1324 , a video mute control  1326 , a confidential audio control  1328 , and a camera switch control  1330 . Wen the termination control  1320  is clicked, the special computer application  204  terminates the seller device&#39;s  136  participation in the virtual showing. In such a case, the special remote computer software application  204  is said to exit from the virtual showing. 
     When the recording control  1322  is turned on, the special remote computer software application  204  notifies the server  110  to start recording of the virtual showing. In response, the server  110  starts recording of the virtual showing. When it is turned off from the turned on mode, the special remote computer software application  204  notifies the server  110  to stop recording of the virtual showing. In response, the server  110  stops recording of the virtual showing and saves the recorded media. 
     When the audio mute control  1324  is turned on, the special remote computer software application  204  does not transmit any audio of the seller  126  to the devices  130 - 138  or additional participates. When it is turned off, the special remote computer software application  204  transmits the audio captured by the microphone  208  of the seller device  136  to the listing agent device  134  and other applicable devices (such as the presenter device  138  when the presenter  128  is under the control of the listing agent  124 ). The audio of the buyer  122  may not be transmitted or relayed to a device that has disabled the audio of the seller  126 . Alternatively, pressing the audio mute control  1324  causes the special remote computer software application  204  to bring up a selection list that allows the seller  126  to select which party or parties to mute or unmute the audio feed for. 
     When the video mute control  1326  is turned on, the special remote computer software application  204  does not transmit any video images of the seller  126  to other devices. When it is turned off, the special remote computer software application  204  transmits the video captured by the camera  216  of the seller device  136  to the listing agent device  134  and other applicable devices (such as those of additional participants from the showing agent&#39;s  120  office, or the presenter device  138  when the presenter  128  is under the control of the listing agent  124 ). The video data of the seller  126  may not be transmitted or relayed to a device that has disabled the audio of the seller  126 . Alternatively, pressing the video mute control  1326  causes the special remote computer software application  204  to bring up a selection list that allows the seller  126  to select which party or parties to mute or unmute the video feed for. 
     When the confidential audio control  1328  is turned on, a confidential audio channel between the listing agent  124  and the seller  126  is established. In the confidential audio mode, the audio of the seller  126  is only sent to the listing agent  124  either directly or through the media relay server  104 . In addition, the audio is not transmitted to the showing agent device  130 , the presenter device  138  or the buyer device  132 . When the confidential audio control  1328  is turned off, the confidential audio mode is then turned off; and the audio of the seller  126  is no longer limited to the listing agent device  134 . Accordingly, the audio of the seller  126  is transmitted to, for example, the presenter device  138  when the presenter  128  is under control of the listing agent  124  either directly or through the media relay server  104 . In a different implementation, the confidential audio control  1328  is turned on when it is pressed down and turned off when it is released. The camera switch control  1330  allows the seller to switch between the front camera and the rear camera of the seller device  136 . 
     In one implementation, when any of the audio mute controls  608 ,  816 ,  1058  and  1324  is operated to mute the audio, the corresponding electronic communication device ( 130 ,  132 ,  134  or  136 ) does not send the audio of the corresponding user to other participating electronic communication devices or the server system  110  in the virtual showing. Similarly, when any of the video mute controls  610 ,  818 ,  1060  and  1326  is operated to mute the video feed from the corresponding electronic communication device, the device does not send the video it captured to other participating electronic communication devices or the server system  110  in the virtual showing. When these media controls are operated to unmute the corresponding media, the media is then captured and sent to other participating devices in the virtual showing. 
     The participants of the virtual showing operate the controls  508 ,  708 ,  908 ,  1208 , or URL links to communicate with the server  110  and join the virtual showing. The process of the virtual showing is further illustrated by reference to  FIG.  14   . Turning to  FIG.  14   , a flowchart depicting a process by which the specialized sever software application  304  and the specialized remote computer software application  204  manage the virtual showing is shown and generally indicated at  1400 . At  1402 ,  1404 ,  1406 ,  1408  and  1410 , the specialized sever software application  304  receives the requests to join the virtual showing from the buyer device  132 , the seller device  136  the listing agent device  134 , the showing agent device  130  and the presenter device  138  respectively. 
     At  1412 , the specialized sever software application  304  initializes an audio and video routing state machine. The initialized media routing state machine reflects which device has joined the virtual showing. In one implementation, the media routing state machine is a data structure maintaining the present states of communication between the devices  130 - 138 . It is further illustrated by reference to  FIGS.  15 A and  15 B . Turning first to  FIG.  15 A , a block diagram illustrating the routing state machine is shown and generally indicated at  1500 . The presenter device  138 , being a different device from the devices  130  and  134  in the illustrative embodiment, provides video and audio of the actual showing physically at the property that it captures to all the devices  130 - 136  through the server  110 . The buyer device  132  sends its media (audio and video) only to the device  130 . It receives media from both the device  130  and the device  134 . It does not communicate with the seller device  136 . It does not send its media to the device  134  either. 
     The seller device  136  sends its media (audio and video) only to the device  134 . It receives media from both the device  130  and the device  134 . It does not communicate with the buyer device  132 . It does not send its media to the device  132  either. The device  130  sends its media to the devices  132 - 136 ; receives media from the devices  132 - 134 ; and does not receive media from the device  136 . The device  134  sends its media to the devices  130 - 132  and  136 ; receives media from the devices  130  and  136 ; and does not receive media from the device  132 . The device  130 - 132  engage in confidential communication on the buyer side; while the device  134 - 136  engage in confidential communication on the seller side. The two confidential communication channels are separate and independent from each other. The confidentiality is also preserved when either the device  130  or the device  134  functions as the presenter device  138 . Such a paradigm is shown and generally indicated at  1550  in  FIG.  15 B   
     The communications between the devices  130  and  134  and between the device  138  and the devices  130 - 138  are not confidential. They are also referred to herein as public communication channels during the virtual showing of the listing. The communication from the device  130  to the device  136  is also not confidential. Similarly, the communication from the device  134  to the device  132  is not confidential. Both public and independent confidential communication channels coexist during the virtual showing. 
     The routing state machine, maintained by the special remote computer software application  304 , also indicates whether a particular device (such as  130 ,  132 ,  134 ,  126  or  138 ) is participating the virtual showing or has exited the virtual showing. When a device joins the virtual shewing, it is indicated as actively participating the virtual showing. 
     When any of the devices  130 - 138  captures audio and video, the media is sent to the server  104 . At  1414 ,  1418 ,  1422 ,  1426  and  1430 , the specialized sever software application  304  receives the media data from the sending devices  132 ,  136 ,  130 ,  134  and  138  respectively. At  1416 ,  1420 ,  1424 ,  1428  and  1432 , the specialized sever software application  304  relays the received media to other devices based on the routing state machine and the limitations of the two confidential communication channels on the buyer and seller sides respectively. For example, media from the device  134  is not forwarded to the device  132 . As an additional example, audio and/or video from the device  134  is not forwarded to the device  130  if the showing agent  120  has muted audio and/or video from the device  134  respectively. 
     At  1434 , the specialized sever software application  304  records the media from the devices  130 - 138 . For example, audio from separate devices is stored as separate audio streams and video from separate devices is stored as separate video streams. At  1436 , the specialized sever software application  304  also stores the stream state data of the routing state machine into the database  112  or a file. 
     The routing state machine may change. For example, when the showing agent  120  operates the control  642  to mute or unmute audio of the listing agent  124 , the routing state machine is changed such that the specialized sever software application  304  stops or resumes relaying audio from the device  134  to the device  130  respectively. The timestamp of the change is also recorded in the routing state machine. The event of the change is also termed herein as a toggle. Similarly, when the showing agent  120  operates the control  644  to mute or unmute video of the listing agent  124 , the routing state machine is changed such that the specialized sever software application  304  stops or resumes relaying video from the device  134  to the device  130  respectively. When the recorded virtual showing is played back triggered by operation on the controls  510 ,  710 ,  910  or  1210 , the saved routing state machine data is also applied to the playback. 
     The toggling of audio and video input is further illustrated by reference to  FIG.  16   . Referring to  FIG.  16   , a flowchart illustrating a process by which the specialized sever software application  304  and the specialized remote computer software application  204  manage media of a virtual showing is shown and generally indicated at  1600 . At  1602 , the specialized remote computer software application  204  running on any of the devices  130 - 136  receives a user input indicating a request to toggle a media input source. For instance, the listing agent  124  operates the controls  1032 - 1034  to mute or unmute the audio and video of the showing agent  120  respectively. At  1604 , the specialized remote computer software application  204  sends the request to the specialized sever software application  304 . At  1606 , the specialized sever software application  304  receives it. At  1608 , the specialized sever software application  304  updates the routing state machine. In one implementation, the routing state machine is saved whenever it&#39;s changed. Alternatively, it&#39;s periodically saved. 
     The virtual showing management system also allows the listing agent  124  to request a real-time feedback from the showing agent on the property or the particular feature being shown during the virtual showing. The feature can be a dining room, a living room, a family room, a kitchen, a bed room, a bathroom, a basement, a library, etc. The virtual showing real-time feedback management is further illustrated by reference to  FIG.  17   . Turning to  FIG.  17   , a flowchart illustrating a process by which the specialized sever software application  304  and the specialized remote computer software application  204  manage the virtual showing real-time feedback is shown and generally indicated at  1700 . At  1702 , the specialized sever software application  304  determines a virtual showing real-time feedback pair between the participants of the virtual showing. In one implementation, the pair includes the listing agent device  134  as the source device and showing agent device  130  as the target device. They are also referred to herein as the real-time feedback source device and the real-time feedback target device. 
     At  1704 , the specialized remote computer software application  204  running on the listing agent device  134  receives a user input indicating a request for a real-time feedback from the showing agent  120 . For instance, the user input is the listing agent&#39;s  124  press of the control  1052 . Once the control  1052  is turned on, at  1706 , the specialized remote computer software application  204  retrieves the audio of the listing agent  124  that is captured by the interface device  208 . The audio input is not sent to any other devices for playback. At  1708 , the specialized remote computer software application  204  transcribes the audio input into text indicating the request for real-time virtual showing feedback. At  1710 , the specialized remote computer software application  204  sends the request to the specialized sever software application  304 . 
     Alternatively, at  1712 , the specialized remote computer software application  204  sends the audio input to the specialized sever software application  304 . At  1714 , the specialized sever software application  304  transcribes the audio input into text indicating the request for real-time virtual showing feedback. In either case, the specialized sever software application  304  is said to receive the virtual showing real-time feedback request from the listing agent device  134 . It should be noted that the audio for real-time virtual showing feedback from the listing agent device  134  is not transmitted to any of the devices  130 - 138 . 
     As  1716 , the specialized sever software application  304  determines the target device to send the request to based on the real-time feedback pair. At  1718 , the specialized sever software application  304  sends the request to the target device, i.e., the showing agent device  130  in the illustrative embodiment. At  1720 , the specialized remote computer software application  204  running on the showing agent device  130  receives the request. At  1722 , the specialized remote computer software application  204  displays the request to the showing agent  120  on the device  130 . 
     In response, the showing agent  120  speaks a response, i.e., her/his real-time feedback. At  1724 , the specialized remote computer software application  204  retrieves the audio of the showing agent  120  captured by the interface  208  of the device  130 . The audio input is not sent to any other device for playback. At  1726 , the specialized remote computer software application  204  transcribes the audio input into text indicating the real-time feedback response to the listing agent  124 . At  1728 , the specialized remote computer software application  204  sends the response to the specialized sever software application  304 . 
     Alternatively, at  1730 , the specialized remote computer software application  204  sends the audio input to the specialized sever software application  304 . At  1732 , the specialized sever software application  304  transcribes the audio input into text indicating the response. In either case, the specialized sever software application  304  is said to receive the virtual showing real-time feedback from the showing agent device  130 . It should be noted that the audio from the showing agent device  130  is not transmitted to any of the devices  130 - 138 . 
     At  1734 , the specialized sever software application  304  sends the response to the listing agent device  134 . At  1736 , the specialized remote computer software application  204  running on the listing agent device  134  receives the response. It further indicates the response to the listing agent  124 . For instance it displays the response on the display screen  214  of the device  134 . At  1738 , the specialized sever software application  304  updates the virtual showing appointment with the virtual showing real-time feedback. At  1740 , the specialized sever software application  304  stores updated virtual showing appointment into the database  112 . The process  1700  provides a confidential data communication channel solely between the devices  130  and  134  during the virtual showing. 
     The virtual showing management system further provides separate and confidential audio communication channels with separate subgroups of the participants of the virtual showing. The separate and confidential audio communication is further illustrated by reference to  FIG.  18   . Turning to  FIG.  18   , a flowchart illustrating a process by which the specialized sever software application  304  and the specialized remote computer software application  204  manage independent confidential audio communication channels during the virtual showing is shown and generally indicated at  1800 . At  1802 , the specialized sever software application  304  determines a set (meaning one or more) of independent confidential audio communication pairs. For instance, the showing agent device  130  and the buyer device  132  form a pair while the listing agent device  134  and the seller device  136  form a different and independent pair. 
     At  1804 , the specialized remote computer software application  204  receives a request for confidential audio communication. For instance, the request is generated when the showing agent  120  presses the control  612 , the buyer presses the control  820 , the listing agent  124  presses the control  1062  or the seller presses the control  1328 . At  1806 , the specialized remote computer software application  204  retrieves the audio of the user captured by the interface  208  of the corresponding electronic communication device (such as  130 ,  132 ,  134  or  136 ). At  1808 , the specialized remote computer software application  204  sends the audio the specialized sever software application  304  and indicates to the application  304  that the audio is for an independent confidential audio communication. At  1810 . the specialized sever software application  304  receives the audio and the indication. For instance, the indication is present in a message header. 
     At  1812 , the specialized sever software application  304  determines the target device of the independent confidential audio communication from the set of independent confidential audio communication pairs determined at  1802 . At  1814 , the specialized sever software application  304  forwards the received audio and the confidential audio communication indication to the target device. For instance, audio received from the listing agent device  134  is only forwarded to the seller device  136 , not any other device for playback. At  1816 , the specialized remote computer software application  204  running on the target device receives the audio. At  1818 , the specialized remote computer software application  204  plays bade the audio via the interface  206  of the target device. When the target participant intends to make a response or initiate an independent confidential audio communication, the elements  1804 - 1818  are performed to achieve the goal. 
     During the virtual showing, the buyer  122  may become disengaged. When she/he has a decreased level of interest in the property or the virtual showing, she/he likely engages in other types of activities. For example, she/he swipes the mobile app  204  out of focus or moves her/his vision onto something else. The swipes are tracked by specialized remote computer software application  204 , while the buyer&#39;s focus change can be determined using video analytic technologies, such as machine deep learning. Such disengagement is important information to the listing agent  124  for marketing the property. Accordingly the listing agent  124  desires to learn the buyer&#39;s level of engagement during the virtual showing of the property. Furthermore, the listing agent  124  desires to learn such information in real-time to help pinpoint the problems with the property or the virtual showing of the same. 
     The buyer engagement management is further illustrated by reference to  FIG.  19   . Turning to  FIG.  19   , a flowchart illustrating a process by which the specialized sever software application  304  and the specialized remote computer software application  204  manage the buyer engagement data is shown and generally indicated at  1900 . At  1902 , the specialized remote computer software application  204  running on a target user device, such as the buyer device  132 , determines that the user is disengaged from the virtual showing. The disengagement is an event with an event type and an event timestamp. At  1904 . the specialized remote computer software application  204  sends the event to the specialized sever software application  304 . At  1906 , the specialized sever software application  304  receives the event. At  1908 , the specialized sever software application  304  processes the event to generate target user engagement measurement data. The input to the process may also include previous received events. 
     At  1910 , the specialized sever software application  204  running on an engagement measurement data consuming user device, such as the listing agent device  134 , receives a request for the target user&#39;s engagement measurement data. For instance, the request is received when the listing agent  124  presses the control  1054 . At  1912 , the specialized sever software application  204  sends the request to the specialized sever software application  304 . At  1914 , in response to the request, the specialized sever software application  304  sends the engagement measurement data to the specialized remote computer software application  204  running on the listing agent device  134 . At  1916 , the specialized remote computer software application  204  receives the engagement measurement data At  1918 , it presents the engagement measurement data on the display screen  214  of the listing agent device  134 . For example, the user engagement measurement data is the number of times the buyer  122  has swiped the mobile app  204  out of focus since the beginning of the virtual showing. As another example, the user engagement measurement data is the number of times the buyer  122  has swiped the mobile app  204  out of focus when a particular feature (such as the dining room) is being shown. The user engagement measurement data may also indicate the time when the disengagement occurs. 
     When a feature of the property is being virtually shown, it is highly desirable that the feature is automatically recognized and indicated on the screens of the participants. For instance, when a bed room or a library of the property is being shown, the virtual showing system automatically tag the video stream from the presenter device  138  with a feature designation, such as the feature designation  670 ,  870  and  1070  in  FIGS.  6 ,  8  and  10    respectively. The auto-tagging process is further illustrated by reference to  FIG.  20   . 
     Referring to  FIG.  20   , a flowchart illustrating a process by which the specialized sever software application  304  auto-tags property features is shown and generally indicated at  2000 . At  2002 , the specialized sever software application  304  receives video data from the presenter device  138 . At  2004 , it determines the feature of the property that is being virtually shown to generate an auto-tag, such as the auto-tags  670 ,  870  and  1070 . In other words the feature is recognized and identified. At  2006 , the specialized sever software application  304  saves the auto-tag and the corresponding timestamp when the present feature become being shown. At  2008 , the specialized sever software application  304  forwards the video and the auto-tag to the devices  130 - 136 . At  2010 , the specialized sever software application  304  adds the newly generated auto-tag and its timestamp into a table of content of the virtual showing. At  2012 , the specialized sever software application  304  stores the table of content into the database  112 . 
     Alternatively, the auto-tagging element  2004  is performed by the specialized remote computer software application  204  running on the presenter device  138 . The specialized remote computer software application  204  then sends the video data along with the auto-tag to the specialized sever software application  304 . Auto-tagging utilizes video image analytical technologies such as deep machine learning technologies. 
     Obviously, many additional modifications and variations of the present disclosure are possible in light of the above teachings Thus, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the disclosure may be practiced otherwise than is specifically described above. 
     The foregoing description of the disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise form disclosed. The description was selected to best explain the principles of the present teachings and practical application of these principles to enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the disclosure in various embodiments and various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the disclosure not be limited by the specification, but be defined by the claims set forth below. In addition, although narrow claims may be presented below, it should be recognized that the scope of this invention is much broader than presented by the claim(s). It is intended that broader claims will be submitted in one or more applications that claim the benefit of priority from this application. Insofar as the description above and the accompanying drawings disclose additional subject matter that is not within the scope of the claim or claims below, the additional inventions are not dedicated to the public and the right to file one or more applications to claim such additional inventions is reserved.