INTERACTIVE MAP APPLICATION

• US 20070288164A1
• Filed: 11/20/2006
• Published: 12/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Lombardi, Steve, Kimchi, Gur, Gordon, Stephen R., Thota, Chandrasekhar, Belousova, Maria B., Tam, Chi Hang
• Application Number:
  US11/561,693
• Publication Number:
  US 20070288164A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/213
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/20 Instruments for performing navigational calculations G01C21/24, G01C21/26 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/26 specially adapted for navigation in a road network

Abstract

Provided is the ability for multiple users to dynamically interact and exchange real time information though utilization of a real time communication application and a mapping application. The multiple users can discover and share location specific information or exchange real time location information. Relevant information can be shared, such as points of interest, driving directions, annotations, etc. in a collaborative environment. Also provided is the ability to create a drawing or plan directly on the map in a collaborative manner.

Claims

1. A system that facilitates interactive map application, comprising:

an input component that accepts an input from a first user; and

an optimization component that provides the input from the first user to at least a second user during a session that includes a map application; and

a rendering component that displays the map application and the exchanged information to the first user and the at least a second user.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising an annotation component that annotates information to the map application based in part on the input from the first user input.

3. The system of claim 1, the input component further accepts at least a second user input and the annotation component updates the map application with the at least a second user input, the rendering component automatically displays the updated map application to the first and the at least a second user.

4. The system of claim 1, the first user input is at least one of a point of reference in a map application, a text message, a voice message, and a driving direction.

5. The system of claim 1, the rendering component selectively displays the map application and annotated information based on a user state.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a participation component that receives from the first user a request to share a map application state of the first user with the at least a second user and notifies the at least a second user of the request.

7. The system of claim 6, the participation component maintains the identity of the first user and the second user confidential.

8. The system of claim 6, the rendering component displays to the at least the second user the state of the first user if the at least a second user accepts the request to share the map application state of the first user.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising a create component that allows at least one of collaboration, exchange, and save of location information.

10. The system of claim 1, a machine-learning component automates one or more system component.

11. A method for automatic collaboration among users of a map application, comprising:

identifying a commonality on a map application;

displaying the map application and the commonality to a first user and at least a second user;

accepting a first input;

annotating the map application with the first input; and

displaying the annotated map application to the first and the at least a second user.

12. The method of claim 11, the commonality is one of a common reference point and a common user state.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

exchanging map application information between the first user and the at least a second user; and

automatically updating the displayed map application based on the exchanged information.

14. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

accepting at least a second input;

updating the map application with the second input; and

displaying the updated map application to the first and the at least a second user.

15. The method of claim 11, the first input is at least one of a point of reference, a text message, a voice message, and a driving direction.

16. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

receiving a map granularity change from the first user; and

changing the granularity of the displayed map for the first user and the at least a second user.

17. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

receiving a request from a first user to include at least a second user to a current session;

sending the request to the at least a second user; and

receiving an approval to include the at least a second user to the current session.

18. A system that facilitates session collaboration between multiple users, comprising:

means for receiving a request from a first user to invite at least a second user to a session;

means for communicating acceptance of the invite request;

means for displaying the information viewed by the first user to the at least a second user;

means for receiving a modification to the information from the first user; and

means for annotating the information viewed by the at least a second user with the modification.

19. The system of claim 18, further comprising:

means for receiving a modification from the first user and a modification from the at least a second user at substantially the same time; and

means for prioritizing the modifications for display to each user.

20. The system of claim 18, further comprising:

means for exchanging the information between the first user and the at least a second user; and

automatically updating a displayed area based on the exchanged information