ADJUSTABLE DESTINATION ICON IN A MAP NAVIGATION TOOL

• US 20120303268A1
• Filed: 11/30/2011
• Published: 11/29/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/23/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Su, Chien-Wen Danny, Bharathan, Aarti, Solis, Adrian, Aroner, Jonathan
• Granted Patent: US 9,273,979 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/428
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/34 Route searching; Route guidance
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3632 Guidance using simplified or iconic instructions, e.g. using arrows G01C21/365 takes precedence

Abstract

A map navigation tool presents directions using a map navigation user interface that simplifies navigation in various ways. In particular, the map navigation tool uses a destination icon that directs the user towards an end location of a route when the user is close to the end location. For example, the map navigation tool obtains multiple list items of a list of directions. Based at least in part on current location, the tool determines that a destination icon is to be displayed. For example, the tool checks whether the current location is within a threshold distance from or past the end location. The tool then renders the destination icon, which indicates direction towards the end location. The tool can further adjust the destination icon depending on current location, for example, rotating the destination icon or switching between multiple destination icons representing left, right, ahead and behind directions.

Claims

1. In a computing device that implements a map navigation tool, a method comprising:

obtaining multiple list items of a list of directions for a route;

based at least in part on a current location of the computing device, determining that a destination icon that indicates direction towards an end location of the route is to be displayed; and

rendering for display the destination icon that indicates direction towards the end location of the route.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising, in each of one or more additional iterations:

updating the current location of the computing device;

depending on the current location of the computing device and the end location, altering the destination icon that indicates direction towards the end location; and

re-rendering for display the destination icon that indicates direction towards the end location.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the altering the destination icon comprises rotating the destination icon.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein the altering the destination icon comprises switching between multiple destination icons, wherein the multiple destination icons include icons representing left, right, ahead and behind directions, respectively.

5. The method of claim 2 wherein the altering and the re-rendering are automatic.

6. The method of claim 2 wherein the altering and the re-rendering are responsive to user input.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the destination icon includes a first part representing a road and a second part representing the end location, and wherein position of the second part relative to the first part indicates side of the road on which the end location is located.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the list of directions includes the multiple list items in an order, and wherein the method further comprises, for a final list item as the end location, rendering for display location text for the final list item.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the rendering the destination icon is automatic.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the rendering the destination icon is responsive to user input.

11. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

checking whether the current location is within a threshold distance from the end location, wherein the determination that the destination icon is to be displayed depends on the current location being within the threshold distance from the end location.

12. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

checking whether the current location is past the end location, wherein the determination that the destination icon is to be displayed depends on the current location being past the end location.

13. A computing device that includes a processor and memory, the computing device being adapted to perform a method comprising:

obtaining multiple list items of a list of directions for a route;

based at least in part on a current location of the computing device, determining that a destination icon that indicates direction towards an end location of the route is to be displayed; and

rendering for display the destination icon that indicates direction towards the end location of the route.

14. The computing device of claim 13 wherein the method further comprises, in each of one or more additional iterations:

updating the current location of the computing device;

depending on the current location of the computing device and the end location, altering the destination icon that indicates direction towards the end location; and

re-rendering for display the destination icon that indicates direction towards the end location.

15. The computing device of claim 14 wherein the altering the destination icon comprises rotating the destination icon.

16. The computing device of claim 14 wherein the altering the destination icon comprises switching between multiple destination icons, wherein the multiple destination icons include icons representing left, right, ahead and behind directions, respectively.

17. The computing device of claim 13 wherein the method further comprises:

checking whether the current location is within a threshold distance from the end location or past the end location, wherein the determination that the destination icon is to be displayed depends on the current location being within the threshold distance from the end location or past the end location.

18. One or more computer-readable storage media storing computer-executable instructions for causing a computing device to perform a method comprising:

obtaining multiple list items of a list of directions for a route;

based at least in part on a current location of the computing device, determining that a destination icon that indicates direction towards an end location of the route is to be displayed;

rendering for display the destination icon that indicates direction towards the end location of the route; and

in each of one or more additional iterations;

updating the current location of the computing device;

depending on the current location of the computing device and the end location, altering the destination icon that indicates direction towards the end location; and

re-rendering for display the destination icon that indicates direction towards the end location.

19. The computer-readable storage media of claim 18 wherein the altering the destination icon comprises rotating the destination icon.

20. The computer-readable storage media of claim 18 wherein the altering the destination icon comprises switching between multiple destination icons, wherein the multiple destination icons include icons representing left, right, ahead and behind directions, respectively.