INTEGRATED MAPPING AND NAVIGATION APPLICATION

• US 20130325319A1
• Filed: 09/30/2012
• Published: 12/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Moore, Bradford A., van Os, Marcel, Blumenberg, Christopher, Vulcano, Emanuele, Koch, Jonathan, Law, Brady A., Williamson, Richard J.
• Granted Patent: US 10,176,633 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/412
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/36 Input/output arrangements for on-board computers
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3614 through interaction with a road map, e.g. selecting a POI icon on a road map
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3626 Details of the output of route guidance instructions traffic control systems for road vehicles involving transmission of navigation instructions to the vehicle G08G1/0968
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3635 Guidance using 3D or perspective road maps
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3638 including 3D objects and buildings three dimensional [3D] modelling, e.g. data description of 3D objects G06T17/00; geographic models G06T17/05
• 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: G01C 21/367 Details, e.g. road map scale, orientation, zooming, illumination, level of detail, scrolling of road map or positioning of current position marker
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3673 Labelling using text of road map data items, e.g. road names, POI names
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3682 output of POI information on a road map G01C21/3614, G01C21/3685 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3874 Structures specially adapted for data searching and retrieval
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3881 Tile-based structures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/29 Geographical information databases
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/53 Querying
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/532 Query formulation, e.g. graphical querying
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9038 Presentation of query results
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04808 Several contacts: gestures triggering a specific function, e.g. scrolling, zooming, right-click, when the user establishes several contacts with the surface simultaneously; e.g. using several fingers or a combination of fingers and pen
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/041 Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0484 for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 : using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 13/20 : 3D [Three Dimensional] animation
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 17/05 : Geographic models
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 19/00 : Manipulating 3D models or images for computer graphics
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 29/00 : Maps; Plans; Charts; Diagrams, e.g. route diagram star maps G09B27/04; devices for holding or supporting maps A47B97/02; for computing purposes G06G1/14, G09B1/16; display boards G09F
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 29/005 : Map projections or methods associated specifically therewith
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 29/007 : using computer methods
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 29/10 : Map spot or coordinate position indicators; Map reading aids optical projection apparatus per se G03B
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 : in wireless communication networks

Abstract

An integrated map and navigation program is described. The program provides a first operational mode for browsing and searching a map. The program provides a second operational mode for providing a navigation presentation that provides a set of navigation directions along a navigated route by reference to the map.

Claims

1. A machine readable medium storing an integrated map and navigation program for execution by at least one processing unit of a device, the program comprising sets of instructions for:

providing a first operational mode for browsing and searching a map; and

providing a second operational mode for providing a navigation presentation that provides a set of navigation directions along a navigated route by reference to the map.

2. The machine readable medium of claim 1, wherein both first and second operational modes are further for displaying the map in a two-dimensional view or a three-dimensional view.

3. The machine readable medium of claim 1, wherein the program further comprises a set of instructions for providing an animated presentation that transitions the display of the map from a first display presentation during the first operational mode to a second display presentation in the second operational mode.

4. The machine readable medium of claim 3, wherein the set of instructions for providing the animated presentation comprises a set of instructions for displaying the map at various angles of rotation.

5. The machine readable medium of claim 4, wherein the set of instructions for providing the animated presentation further comprises a set of instructions for displaying the map at various different perspective three-dimensional angles.

6. The machine readable medium of claim 3, wherein the set of instructions for providing the animated presentation comprises a set of instructions for displaying the map at various different perspective three-dimensional angles.

7. The machine readable medium of claim 6, wherein the first display presentation is a two-dimensional presentation of the map while the second display presentation is a three-dimensional presentation of the map.

8. The machine readable medium of claim 6, wherein the first and second display presentations are three-dimensional presentations of the map but the second display presentation provides a three-dimensional scene with more detail that the three-dimensional scene provided by the first display presentation.

9. The machine readable medium of claim 8, wherein the additional detail comprises at least one of additional colors, textures, and objects in the three-dimensional scene.

10. The machine readable medium of claim 1, wherein the program further comprises sets of instructions for:

displaying a first display presentation during the first operational mode;

displaying a second display presentation during the second operational mode;

displaying a selectable control as one corner of the first display presentation that is curled upwards;

in response to the selection of the selectable curled corner, generating an animation that makes the first display presentation appear as if it is being lifted from the corner upwards to reveal a display area below it that includes a plurality of additional selectable controls; and

in response to a transition from the first operational mode to the second operational mode, generating an animation that uncurls the curled upward corner of the first display presentation in order to present the second display presentation.

11. The machine readable medium of claim 1, wherein the program further comprises a set of instructions for displaying first and second sets of floating controls for respectively performing first and second sets of operations respectively during the first and second operational modes of the program, said floating controls sliding over a presentation of the map to change the displayed set of floating controls whenever the program switches between the first and second operational modes.

12. The machine readable medium of claim 11, wherein the program further comprises sets of instructions for:

removing the second set of controls from display in response to receiving a first input during the second operational mode; and

displaying the second set of controls again over the presentation of the map in response to receiving a second input during the second operational mode.

13. The machine readable medium of claim 12, wherein the sets of instructions for removing and displaying again the second set of controls comprises sets of instructions for generating an animation to slide out and generating an animation to slide in the second set of controls.

14. The machine readable medium of claim 1, wherein the program further comprises sets of instructions for:

rendering the map in a first style during the first operational mode that is designed for browsing and searching the map; and

rendering the map in a second style during the second operational mode, said second style different than the first style and designed for providing the navigation presentation.

15. The machine readable medium of claim 14, wherein the second style is a more immersive, animation rendering of the map than the first style.

16. The machine readable medium of claim 14, wherein the first and second styles provide different presentation of a common area on the map at the same zoom level and angle of view.

17. The machine readable medium of claim 1, wherein the program further comprises sets of instructions for:

tracking the position of the device while providing the navigation presentation in the second operational mode;

correlating the tracked position to the navigation directions along navigated route;

generating a new set of navigation directions upon detecting that the device is no longer on the navigated route based on the tracked position of the device; and

providing the new set of navigation directions during the navigation presentation that describes a new navigated route.

18. The machine readable medium of claim 17, wherein the set of instructions for tracking the position of the device comprises a set of instructions for using global positioning system (GPS) data generated by a GPS receiver of the device to identify the location of the device.

19. The machine readable medium of claim 1, wherein the program further comprises a set of instructions for providing a route generation and inspection mode that identifies a route between two locations and provides a set of controls to allow inspection of the identified route.

20. A device comprising:

a display screen;

at least one processing unit;

a storage storing an integrated map and navigation program for execution by the processing unit; and

the program having first and second operational modes,

the first operational mode for displaying a map on the display screen for browsing and searching,

the second operational mode for presenting a navigation presentation on the display screen.

21. The device of claim 20, wherein both first and second operational modes are further for displaying a map in a two-dimensional view or a three-dimensional view.

22. The device of claim 20, wherein the program comprises a rendering module that provides an animated presentation that transitions the display of the map from a first display presentation during the first operational mode to a second display presentation in the second operational mode.

23. The device of claim 21, wherein the animated presentation displays the map at various angles of rotation.

24. The device of claim 21, wherein the animated presentation displays the map at various different perspective three-dimensional angles.

25. The device of claim 20, wherein the program comprises:

a rendering module that displays a first display presentation during the first operational mode, and a second display presentation during the second operational mode; and

a user interface (UI) that includes a selectable, displayed control as one corner of the first display presentation that is curled upwards,

wherein selection of the selectable curled corner causes the rendering module to generate an animation that makes the first display presentation appear as if it is being lifted from the corner upwards to reveal a display area below it that includes a plurality of additional selectable controls,

wherein upon a transition from the first operational mode to the second operational mode, the rendering module generates an animation that uncurls the curled upward corner of the first display presentation before presenting the second display presentation.

26. The device of claim 20, wherein the program comprises:

a user interface (UI) that comprises first and second sets of floating controls for respectively performing first and second sets of operations respectively during the first and second operational modes of the mapping program, said floating controls sliding over a presentation of the map to change the displayed set of floating controls whenever the program switches between the first and second operational modes,

wherein when a first input is received during the second operational mode, the second set of controls is removed for display on the display screen,

wherein when a second input is received subsequently during the second operational mode, the second set of controls is displayed again over the presentation of the map.

27. The device of claim 20, wherein the program comprises:

a rendering module for rendering the map (1) during the first operational mode, in a first style that is designed for browsing and searching the map, and (2) during the second operational mode, in a second style that is designed for providing the navigation presentation, wherein the second style is a more immersive, animation rendering of the map than the first style.

28. The device of claim 20, wherein the program comprises:

a user interface (UI) comprising a plurality of navigation-initiation controls for a plurality of selectable locations on the map that is displayed during the map browsing mode, wherein selection of the navigation-initiation control for one of the selectable locations directs the program to transition from the first operational mode to the second operational mode.

29. The device of claim 28, wherein the plurality of selectable locations include a set of locations that the program identifies in responses to a search query, wherein the UI further comprises for each selectable location, a display area that opens and overlaps the map to display (i) information about the selectable location and (ii) the navigation-initiation control for the selectable location.

30. The device of claim 28, wherein when the display area for a selected location opens, the display area only partially overlaps the map presentation.

31. The device of claim 28, wherein the plurality of selectable locations include a set of points of interests (POIs) that are selectable on the map presentation, wherein the UI further comprises for each selectable POI, a display area that opens and overlaps the map presentation to display (i) information about the selectable POI and (ii) the navigation-initiation control for the selectable POI, wherein when the display area for a selected POI opens, the display area only partially overlaps the map presentation.

32. A machine readable medium storing a multi-mode mapping program for execution by at least one processing unit, the program comprising sets of instructions for:

providing at least one map presentation during first and second operational modes of the mapping program; and

displaying first and second sets of floating controls for respectively performing first and second sets of operations respectively during the first and second operational modes of the mapping program,

said first and second sets of floating controls comprising controls that slide over the map presentation to change the displayed set of floating controls whenever the program switches between the first and second operational modes, wherein the second set of floating controls includes at least one control that is also in the first set of floating controls and one control that is not in the first set of floating controls.

33. The machine readable medium of claim 32, wherein the control that is in the second set but not the first set is a list control that when selected, causes the program to display a list relevant to an operation performed in the second operational mode.

34. The machine readable medium of claim 33, the program further comprising sets of instructions for displaying a third set of floating controls during a third operational mode, wherein the third set of floating controls includes the list control, said list control providing a first list during the second operational mode and a second list during the third operation mode, said first and second lists having different designs to reflect their use during different operational stages.

35. A machine readable medium storing a map program for execution by at least one processing unit of a device, the program comprising sets of instructions for:

providing a first operational mode for browsing and searching a map;

providing a second operational mode for identifying routes between two locations on the map; and

providing a search window for listing recent search queries and recent direction requests.

36. The machine readable medium of claim 35, wherein both first and second operational modes are further for displaying the map in a two-dimensional view or a three-dimensional view.

37. The machine readable medium of claim 35, wherein the search window is further for listing direction requests between a current location of the device and a location associated with a user of the device.

38. The machine readable medium of claim 37, wherein the associated location is one of the user'"'"'s home address and the user'"'"'s work address.

39. The machine readable medium of claim 35, wherein the program further comprises a set of instructions for retrieving from multiple different data sources search results that satisfy a search query that is entered through the search window.

40. The machine readable medium of claim 39, wherein the different data sources comprise a data storage of the program that caches recent search queries and recent direction requests and a data storage outside the program but residing on the device for storing contact information of different entities.

41. The machine readable medium of claim 40, wherein contact information for at least one entity comprises an address.

42. The machine readable medium of claim 40, wherein the different data sources further comprises a data storage stored on another device.

43. The machine readable medium of claim 42, wherein the other device is a computer that processes at least process of the search query.

44. The machine readable medium of claim 39, wherein the set of instructions for retrieving search results comprises a set of instructions for retrieving and displaying search results while the search query is being entered.

45. A device having at least one processing unit and storing a multi-mode mapping program for execution by said at least one processing unit, the program comprising a user interface (UI), the UI comprising:

a display area for displaying map presentations;

a first operational mode for providing a map browsing presentation and a first set of controls for allowing the browsing of the map browsing presentation; and

a second operational mode for providing a map navigation presentation and a second set of controls for facilitating the navigation,

the first set of controls comprising a plurality of navigation-initiation controls for a plurality of selectable locations in the map browsing presentation;

wherein selection of the navigation-initiation control for one of the selectable locations directs the program to transition from the map browsing mode to the map navigation mode.

46. The device of claim 45,

wherein the plurality of selectable locations include a set of locations that the program identifies in responses to a search query, wherein the UI further comprises for each selectable location, a display area that opens and overlaps the map presentation to display (i) information about the selectable location and (ii) the navigation-initiation control for the selectable location.

47. The device of claim 46, wherein when the display area for a selected location opens, the display area only partially overlaps the map presentation.

48. The device of claim 45, wherein the plurality of selectable locations include a set of points of interests (POIs) that are selectable on the map presentation, wherein the UI further comprises for each selectable POI, a display area that opens and partially overlaps the map presentation to display (i) information about the selectable POI and (ii) the navigation-initiation control for the selectable POI.