CALCULATING ROUTE AND DISTANCE ON COMPUTERIZED MAP USING TOUCHSCREEN USER INTERFACE

• US 20110022308A1
• Filed: 03/31/2009
• Published: 01/27/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
• Original Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
• Inventors: Britton, Jason A.
• Application Number:
  US12/935,168
• Publication Number:
  US 20110022308A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/202
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3664 Details of the user input interface, e.g. buttons, knobs or sliders, including those provided on a touch screen; remote controllers; input using gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096827 where the route is computed onboard
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096866 where the complete route is shown to the driver
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096883 where input information is obtained using a mobile device, e.g. a mobile phone, a PDA
• 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: G08G 1/0969 having a display in the form of a map

Abstract

A method and apparatus for computing routes and distances on displayable, computerized maps are disclosed. The apparatus includes a user interface (106) configured to detect a first user touch on a touchscreen (104) indicating a starting point (304) on a map displayed on the touchscreen (104). The user interface (106) also detects a second user touch on the touchscreen (104) tracing an approximate route (306) on the map between the starting point (304) and an end-point (308), and detects a third user touch on the screen indicating the end-point (308). A processor, in cooperation with the user interface, determines and displays on the touchscreen a roadway route (310) between the starting and end-points. The roadway route (310) is based on the approximate route (306) traced on the touchscreen (104). The distance of the roadway route (310) may also be displayed.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a user interface configured to;

detect a first user touch on a touchscreen indicating a starting point on a map

displayed on the touchscreen;

detect a second user touch on the screen tracing an approximate route on the map between the starting point and an end-point; and

detect a third user touch on the screen indicating the end-point; and

a processor configured to determine and display on the touchscreen a roadway route between the starting and end-points based on the approximate route traced on the screen.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to determine the distance between the starting and end-points based on the roadway route.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first user touch includes touching the screen with a finger or stylus.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second user touch includes moving a finger or stylus across the screen while maintaining contact with the screen.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the third user touch includes lifting a finger or stylus away from the screen.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the user interface is configured to detect a fourth user touch on the screen that selects a portion of the roadway route and drags it to an alternative route on the map.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the processor is configured to determine and display on the screen a revised roadway route between the starting and end-points based on the alternative route.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the processor is configured to determine the distance between the starting and end-points based on the revised roadway route.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising the touchscreen.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, included in a wireless communication device.

11. A method of interfacing with a map, comprising:

displaying a map on a touchscreen;

detecting a first user touch on the screen indicating a starting point;

detecting a second user touch on the screen tracing an approximate route on the map between the starting point and an end-point;

detecting a third user touch on the screen indicating the end-point; and

determining and displaying on the touchscreen a roadway route between the starting and end-points based on the approximate route.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

determining the distance between the starting and end-points based on the roadway route.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the first user touch includes touching the screen with a finger or stylus.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the second user touch includes moving a finger or stylus across the screen while maintaining contact with the screen.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the third user touch includes lifting a finger or stylus away from the screen.

16. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

detecting a fourth user touch on the screen that selects a portion of the roadway route and drags it to an alternative route on the map.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

determining and displaying on the screen a revised roadway route between the starting and end-points based on the alternative route.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

determining the distance between the starting and end-points based on the revised roadway route.

19. The method of claim 11, wherein the touchscreen is included in a wireless communication device.

20. The method of claim 11, wherein the map is a computerized map stored in a portable electronic device.