Point of interest spatial rating search method and system

• US 20120011137A1
• Filed: 08/31/2011
• Published: 01/12/2012
• 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, Michael A., Sheha, Angie, Petilli, Stephen
• Granted Patent: US 8,301,371 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 707/758
• 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

Searching and retrieving location information associated with one or more points of interests (POI). Search criteria can be dependent upon preferences or search restrictions selected by the user device, e.g., rating information about the POI, as well as location of a POI with respect to the real-time position of the user device. Upon selecting a POI from the search result, the user device is then given further information regarding the selected POI, e.g., directions for traveling to the POI. The user device provides a proximity notification once the user device is within a certain distance from the POI. While at a POI, the user device can provide to the system information regarding the POI, such as a rating of the establishment, without having to specifically identify the POI as the system can self-identify the POI by using the position information of the user device.

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 method, 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 provides 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.

2-61. -61. (canceled)