POINT OF INTEREST SPATIAL RATING SEARCH

• US 20080076451A1
• Filed: 11/29/2007
• Published: 03/27/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/16/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TeleCommunication Systems Inc (Comtech Telecommunications Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Networks In Motion Incorporated (Comtech Telecommunications Corporation)
• Inventors: Sheha, Angie, Petilli, Stephen, Sheha, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 8,014,939 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/456.3
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3679 Retrieval, searching and output of POI information, e.g. hotels, restaurants, shops, filling stations, parking facilities G01C21/3611 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0962 having an indicator mounted inside the vehicle, e.g. giving voice messages
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096827 where the route is computed onboard
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096894 where input is assisted by the navigation device, i.e. the user does not type the complete name of the destination, e.g. using zip codes, telephone numbers, progressively selecting from initial letters
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/024 Guidance services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a system and method for searching and retrieving location information associated with one or more points of interests, whereby the search criteria can be dependent upon the location of a point of interest with respect to the real-time position of the user, and any preferences or search restrictions selected by the user, such as rating information about the point of interest. Upon selecting a point of interest from the search result, the user is then given further information regarding the selected point of interest, including but not limited to directions for traveling to the point of interest. Additionally, the present invention can provide to the user a proximity notification once the user is within a certain distance from the point interest. Finally, while at a point of interest, the user can provide to the system information regarding the point of interest, such as rating of the food of a restaurant, without having to specifically identify the point of interest as the system can self-identify the point of interest by using the position information of the user.

Claims

1. A method of using a mobile device to retrieve information associated to a point of interest, said mobile device having a GPS receiver, a computer-readable memory, a user input, and a display, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving, via the GPS receiver, a real-time position information of the mobile device, said real-time position information indicating a real-time location of the mobile device;

receiving a search request, the search request requesting a search for a point of interest;

in response to the search request, performing a search for the point of interest using a plurality of search methods, wherein at least one of the search method is based on distance of the points of interests from the real-time location of the mobile device, and wherein each of the plurality of search methods provide a unique search result;

combining the search results of the plurality of search methods to generate at least one recommended point of interest; and

presenting information associated with the at least one recommended point of interest.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of combining includes the step of assigning a weighing value to each of the plurality of search results.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said plurality of search methods further include at least one of a critic rating search method, an aggregate user rating search method, a personal favorite rating search method, and a similar user ratings search method.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the information associated with the at least one recommended point of interest includes the address information of the at least one recommended point of interest.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising a step of displaying rating information for the at least one recommended point of interest.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

retrieving route information for traveling between the real-time location of the mobile device to the location of the at least one recommended point of interest; and

presenting the route information on the mobile device display.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the route information presented includes graphical map information.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising a step of saving to the computer-readable memory of the mobile device the name and address information of the at least one recommended point of interest.

9. A computer-readable medium encoded with a computer program for performing a method of using a mobile device to retrieve information associated to a point of interest, said mobile device having a GPS receiver, a user input, and a display, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving, via the GPS receiver, a real-time position information of the mobile device, said real-time position information indicating a real-time location of the mobile device;

receiving a search request, the search request requesting a search for a point of interest;

in response to the search request, performing a search for the point of interest using a plurality of search methods, wherein at least one of the search method is based on distance of the points of interests from the real-time location of the mobile device, and wherein each of the plurality of search methods provide a unique search result;

combining the search results of the plurality of search methods to generate at least one recommended point of interest; and

presenting information associated with the at least one recommended point of interest.

10. The computer-readable medium of claim 9, wherein said step of combining includes the step of assigning a weighing value to each of the plurality of search results.

11. The computer-readable medium of claim 9, wherein said plurality of search methods further include at least one of a critic rating search method, an aggregate user rating search method, a personal favorite rating search method, and a similar user ratings search method.

12. The computer-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the information associated with the at least one recommended point of interest includes the address information of the at least one recommended point of interest.

13. The computer-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the method further comprises a step of displaying rating information for the at least one recommended point of interest.

14. The computer-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the method further comprises the steps of:

retrieving route information for traveling between the real-time location of the mobile device to the location of the at least one recommended point of interest; and

presenting the route information on the mobile device display.

15. The computer-readable medium of claim 14, wherein the route information presented includes graphical map information.

16. The computer-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the method further comprises a step of saving to the computer-readable medium the name and address information of the at least one recommended point of interest.

17. A mobile device comprising:

a display;

a computer-readable memory;

a GPS receiver for receiving a real-time position information of the mobile device, said real-time position information indicating a real-time location of the mobile device;

a user input for receiving a search request, the search request requesting a search for a point of interest;

means for, in response to the search request, performing a search for the point of interest using a plurality of search methods, wherein at least one of the search method is based on distance of the points of interests from the real-time location of the mobile device, and wherein each of the plurality of search methods provide a unique search result;

means for combining the search results of the plurality of search methods to generate at least one recommended point of interest; and

means for presenting information associated with the at least one recommended point of interest.

18. The mobile device of claim 17, wherein said means of combining includes means for assigning a weighing value to each of the plurality of search results.

19. The mobile device of claim 17, wherein said plurality of search methods further include at least one of a critic rating search method, an aggregate user rating search method, a personal favorite rating search method, and a similar user ratings search method.

20. The mobile device of claim 17, wherein the information associated with the at least one recommended point of interest includes the address information of the at least one recommended point of interest.

21. The mobile device of claim 17, further comprising means for causing the display of rating information for the at least one recommended point of interest.

22. The mobile device of claim 17, further comprising:

means for retrieving route information for traveling between the real-time location of the mobile device to the location of the at least one recommended point of interest; and

means for presenting the route information on the mobile device display.

23. The mobile device of claim 22, wherein the route information presented includes graphical map information.

24. The mobile device of claim 17, further comprising means for saving to the computer-readable memory of the mobile device the name and address information of the at least one recommended point of interest.

25. The mobile device of claim 17, further comprising means for saving to the computer-readable memory personal note information about the at least one recommended point of interest.

26. A method for collecting rating information for a point of interest using a mobile device, said mobile device including a GPS receiver, a user input, a display, and a computer-readable medium, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving, via the GPS receiver, a real-time position information of the mobile device, said real-time information indicating a real-time location of the mobile device;

determining whether the real-time location of the mobile device is within a predetermined distance from a point of interest;

upon determining the mobile device is within the predetermined distance from the point of interest, displaying, on the display, information associated with the point of interest; and

receiving, from the user input, rating information for the point of interest.

27. The method of claim 26, further comprising a step of sending, to a network server, the received rating information for the point of interest.

28. The method of claim 26, further comprising a step of saving, to the computer-readable medium, the received rating information about the point of interest.

29. The method of claim 26, further comprising the steps of:

retrieving route information between the real-time location of the mobile device and the point of interest; and

presenting, on the display, the route information.

30. The method of claim 26, further comprising a step of receiving, from the user input, personal note information about the point of interest.

31. The method of claim 26, further comprising the steps of:

determining whether the computer-readable medium contains previously received rating information for the point of interest; and

if it is determined the computer-readable medium contains previously received rating information, updating the previously received rating information with the received rating information for the point of interest.

32. The method of claim 26, further comprising the steps of:

receiving, from the user input, sign-in information for a user; and

authenticating the sign-in information of the user.

36. The computer-readable medium of claim 26, wherein the method further comprises the steps of:

retrieving route information between the real-time location of the mobile device and the point of interest; and

presenting, on the display, the route information.

33. A computer-readable medium encoded with a computer program for performing a method of collecting rating information for a point of interest using a mobile device, said mobile device including a GPS receiver, a user input, and a display, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving, via the GPS receiver, a real-time position information of the mobile device, said real-time information indicating a real-time location of the mobile device;

determining whether the real-time location of the mobile device is within a predetermined distance from a point of interest;

upon determining the mobile device is within the predetermined distance from the point of interest, displaying, on the display, information associated with the point of interest; and

receiving, from the user input, rating information for the point of interest.

34. The computer-readable medium of claim 33, wherein the method further comprises a step of sending, to a network server, the received rating information for the point of interest.

35. The computer-readable medium of claim 33, wherein the method further comprises a step of saving, to the computer-readable medium, the received rating information about the point of interest.

37. The computer-readable medium of claim 33, wherein the method further comprises a step of receiving, from the user input, personal note information about the point of interest.

38. The computer-readable medium of claim 33, wherein the method further comprises the steps of:

determining whether the computer-readable medium contains previously received rating information for the point of interest; and

if it is determined the computer-readable medium contains previously received rating information, updating the previously received rating information with the received rating information for the point of interest.

39. The computer-readable medium of claim 33, wherein the method further comprises the steps of:

receiving, from the user input, sign-in information for a user; and

authenticating the sign-in information of the user.

40. A mobile device comprising:

a GPS receiver for receiving a real-time position information of the mobile device, said real-time information indicating a real-time location of the mobile device;

a user input;

a display;

a computer-readable medium;

means for determining whether the real-time location of the mobile device is within a predetermined distance from a point of interest;

means for, upon determining the mobile device is within the predetermined distance from the point of interest, causing the displaying of information associated with the point of interest; and

means for receiving, from the user input, rating information for the point of interest.

41. The mobile device of claim 40, further comprising means for sending, to a network server, the received rating information for the point of interest.

42. The mobile device of claim 40, further comprising means for saving, to the computer-readable medium, the received rating information about the point of interest.

43. The mobile device of claim 40, further comprising:

means for retrieving route information between the real-time location of the mobile device and the point of interest; and

means for causing the display of the route information.

44. The mobile device of claim 40, further comprising means for receiving, from the user input, personal note information about the point of interest.

45. The mobile device of claim 40, further comprising:

means for determining whether the computer-readable medium contains previously received rating information for the point of interest; and

means for, if it is determined the computer-readable medium contains previously received rating information, updating the previously received rating information with the received rating information for the point of interest.

46. The mobile device of claim 40, further comprising:

means for receiving, from the user input, sign-in information for a user; and

means for authenticating the sign-in information of the user.

47. A method for displaying location-triggered information using a mobile device using, said mobile device including a GPS receiver, a user input, a display, and a computer-readable medium, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving, via the GPS receiver, a real-time position information of the mobile device, said real-time position information indicating a real-time location of the mobile device;

determining whether the real-time location of the mobile device is within a predetermine distance from a point of interest;

determining whether the point of interest is on a current route of travel by the mobile device; and

if it is determined that the real-time location of the mobile device is within a predetermined distance from the point of interest and that the point of interest is on a current route of travel by the mobile device, automatically displaying information associated with the point of interest.

48. The method of claim 47, wherein the automatically displayed information is one of a rating information and a discount coupon associated with the point of interest.

49. The method of claim 48, wherein the rating information is one of personal rating information, similar user rating information, critic review rating information, and aggregate user rating information.

50. The method of claim 47, further comprising the steps of:

retrieving route information for traveling between the real-time location of the mobile device and the point of interest; and

displaying, on the display, the route information.

51. The method of claim 47, further comprising a step of displaying the address information of the point of interest.

52. A computer-readable medium encoded with a computer program for performing a method of displaying location-triggered information using a mobile device using, said mobile device including a GPS receiver, a user input, and a display, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving, via the GPS receiver, a real-time position information of the mobile device, said real-time position information indicating a real-time location of the mobile device;

determining whether the real-time location of the mobile device is within a predetermine distance from a point of interest;

determining whether the point of interest is on a current route of travel by the mobile device; and

if it is determined that the real-time location of the mobile device is within a predetermined distance from the point of interest and that the point of interest is on a current route of travel by the mobile device, automatically displaying information associated with the point of interest.

53. The computer-readable medium of claim 52, wherein the automatically displayed information is one of a rating information and a discount coupon associated with the point of interest.

54. The computer-readable medium of claim 53, wherein the rating information is one of personal rating information, similar user rating information, critic review rating information, and aggregate user rating information.

55. The computer-readable medium of claim 52, wherein the method further comprises the steps of:

retrieving route information for traveling between the real-time location of the mobile device and the point of interest; and

displaying, on the display, the route information.

56. The computer-readable medium of claim 52, wherein the method further comprises a step of displaying the address information of the point of interest.

57. A mobile device comprising:

a GPS receiver for receiving a real-time position information of the mobile device, said real-time position information indicating a real-time location of the mobile device;

a user input;

a display;

a computer-readable medium;

means for determining whether the real-time location of the mobile device is within a predetermine distance from a point of interest;

means for determining whether the point of interest is on a current route of travel by the mobile device; and

means for, if it is determined that the real-time location of the mobile device is within a predetermined distance from the point of interest and that the point of interest is on a current route of travel by the mobile device, automatically displaying information associated with the point of interest.

58. The mobile device of claim 57, wherein the automatically displayed information is one of a rating information and a discount coupon associated with the point of interest.

59. The method of claim 58, wherein the rating information is one of personal rating information, similar user rating information, critic review rating information, and aggregate user rating information.

60. The mobile device of claim 57, further comprising:

means for retrieving route information for traveling between the real-time location of the mobile device and the point of interest; and

means for displaying, on the display, the route information.

61. The method of claim 57, further comprising means for displaying the address information of the point of interest.