Location signposting and orientation

• US 7,634,354 B2
• Filed: 08/31/2005
• Issued: 12/15/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Salmre, Ivo William
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen; Cuong H
• Application Number:
  US11/217,638
• Publication Number:
  US 20070050129A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,567 Days
• Field of Search: 701200-213, 701/300, 369/13.01, 369/14, 369/93, 345/440, 342/457, 731/78, 340/990, 340/995.1, 709/246
• US Class Current: 701/207
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/20 Instruments for performing navigational calculations G01C21/24, G01C21/26 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3667 Display of a road map G01C21/3614 takes precedence; guidance using 3D or perspective road maps G01C21/3635
• 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: G09B 29/106 using electronic means

Abstract

A signposting and orientation technology is presented. This technology employs signposts superimposed on map images in order to convey otherwise undisplayable information on a map image. With signposting, zoomed-in maps can convey relationships between items on the map image, even though some of those item are not directly displayed on the map images. For example, a signpost can convey the distance between an anchoring object of reference and an item that is some distance and direction away from the object. Any relationships between objects and/or items can be dynamically maintained even though both the objects and item are moving about a map image. Additionally, orientation marks can be used in conjunction with signposts to orient users of the technology. Orientation marks may employ directional vectors, beginning at with the object of reference and ending with the orientation mark, whether the mark is celestial in nature or otherwise.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for providing location and orientation information when displayed on a mobile device, comprising:

using a map in the mobile device;

displaying a viewed portion of the map in a display screen of the mobile device; and

if an item on the map is outside the viewed portion of the map, then displaying a signpost for the item superimposed on the viewed portion of the map, wherein the item is anchored to an object of reference that is configured to change dynamically upon a request.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising displaying an orientation mark, wherein the orientation mark is anchored to the object of reference.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein a vector appears between the object of reference and at least one of (a) the item and (b) an orientation mark.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 2, wherein the orientation mark is a celestial body.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 2, wherein the orientation mark is a grounded body.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the map is any arbitrary map configured to be displayed in the mobile device obviating the need to be a pre-stored map of the mobile device.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the signpost comprises a name of the item.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the signpost comprises a distance between the item and the object of reference.

9. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the signpost comprises an orientation reference substantially corresponding to a direction from the object of reference to the item.

10. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein at least one of (a) the item and (b) the object of reference is stationary on the map.

11. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein at least one of (a) the item and (b) the object of reference is moving about the map.

12. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the request is made by a developer interacting with an application programming interface for building a location and orientation information application.

13. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the request is made by a user of the mobile device.

14. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein at least one of (a) the object of reference and (b) the item is substantially in the center of the viewed portion of the map.

15. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein at least one of (a) the object of reference and (b) the item is away from the center of the viewed portion of the map.

16. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the mobile device is a cell phone.