Geographical applications for mobile devices and backend systems

• US 9,264,856 B1
• Filed: 09/10/2009
• Issued: 02/16/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/10/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IP3 2017, Series 200 of Allied Security Trust I (Allied Security Trust)
• Original Assignee: Dominic M. Kotab
• Inventors: Kotab, Dominic M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Eng, George
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hammonds, Marcus
• Application Number:
  US12/556,791
• Time in Patent Office: 2,350 Days
• Field of Search: 4554561-457, 701200-226, 701400-541
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/023 using mutual or relative location information between multiple location based services [LBS] targets or of distance thresholds
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/30 Services specially adapted for particular environments, situations or purposes
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/00 Locating users or terminals or network equipment for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management

Abstract

A method, according to one embodiment, includes receiving a request for a geographical destination from a mobile device, determining geographical coordinates of the destination, and transmitting the coordinates to the mobile device. According to another embodiment, a method includes receiving a verbal request for a geographical destination from a mobile device, determining geographical coordinates of the destination, and transmitting the coordinates to the mobile device. In another embodiment, a method includes transmitting a request for a geographical destination from a mobile device to a remote location, receiving geographical coordinates of the destination, and outputting a map showing at least one of a present location of the mobile device and the destination. In yet another embodiment, a method includes sending a present geographical location of a mobile device to a remote mobile device. Other methods for remote location determination and location access are described as well.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

transmitting a first request from a first mobile device for a first location of a first secondary mobile device;

transmitting a second request from the first mobile device for a first location of a second secondary mobile device;

receiving at least one of a street address and geographical coordinates of the first location of the first location of the first secondary mobile device;

receiving at least one of a street address and geographical coordinated of the first location of the second secondary mobile device;

receiving the at least one of the a street address and geographical coordinates of the first location of the first secondary mobile device at the first mobile device;

receiving the at least one of the a street address and geographical coordinates of the first location of the second secondary mobile device at the first mobile device;

causing a first location of the first mobile device to be determined;

receiving a selection on the first mobile device, the selection corresponding with an intended destination, wherein the intended destination is one of;

the at least one street address and geographical coordinates of the first location of the first secondary mobile device; and

the at least one street address and geographical coordinates of the first location of the second secondary mobile device;

in response to receiving the selection, downloading a plurality of data portions associated with map data, wherein the data portions included data associated with at least three of;

the first location of the first mobile device;

the at least one of a street address and geographical coordinates of the first location of the first secondary mobile device;

the at least one of a street address and geographical coordinates of the first location of the second secondary mobile device; and

the intended destination;

rendering the map data based on the plurality of data portions, wherein the rendering occurs on the first mobile device;

in response to rendering the map data,

outputting a first portion of the map data having a first graphical representation,

outputting a second portion of the map data having a second graphical representation,

outputting a third portion of the map data having a third graphical representation, wherein the first, second, and third graphical representations differ and are displayed, at least in part, simultaneously, and

outputting a fourth portion of the map data having a fourth graphical representation, wherein the fourth graphical representation includes satellite imagery, wherein at least one of the first portion of the map data, the second portion of the map data, the third portion of the map data, and the fourth portion of the map data includes a route from the first mobile device to the intended destination, wherein the route is caused to be calculated based on criteria including height limitations, weight limitations, and one or more of speed, distance, time, mode of transit, fees, traffic conditions, walking path availability, and time restrictions;

receiving a present location of the first secondary mobile device, wherein the present location of the first secondary mobile device differs from the first location of the first secondary mobile device;

receiving a present location of the second secondary mobile device, wherein the present location of the second secondary mobile device differs from the first location of the second secondary mobile device;

causing a present location of the first mobile device to be determined, wherein the present location of the first mobile device differs from the first location of the first mobile device;

updating the intended destination based on at least one of the present location of the first secondary mobile device and the present location of the second secondary mobile device;

updating the route based on at least one of the present location of the first secondary mobile device and the present location of the second secondary mobile device;

updating the map data based on at least two of;

the present location of the first secondary mobile device,

the present location of the second secondary mobile device;

the intended destination; and

the present location of the first mobile device

outputting the first portion of the map data having the first graphical representation based on the updated map data;

outputting the second portion of the map data having the second graphical representation based on the updated map data;

outputting the third portion of the map data having the third graphical representation based on the updated map data;

outputting the fourth portion of the map data having the fourth graphical representation based on the updated map data.

2. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the first request is a verbal request.

3. A method as recited in claim 2, wherein a live person receives the verbal request.

4. A method as recited in claim 2, wherein a machine receives and processes at least a portion of the verbal request using voice recognition.

5. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the first mobile device includes a telephone, and the method further comprises transmitting the map data to the first mobile device for enabling the first mobile device to generate a route between the present location of the first mobile device and the present location of the first secondary mobile device or the present location of the second secondary mobile device.

6. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the first mobile device is an automobile-mounted device.

7. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein geographical coordinates of several potential geographical destinations are determined and sent at the same time.

8. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising generating directions from the present location of the first mobile device to the present location of the first secondary mobile device or the present location of the second secondary mobile device, and sending the directions to the first mobile device.

9. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the method is performed at least in part by a human at a call center.

10. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the method is performed by another mobile device.

34. A method as recited in claim 9, wherein geographical coordinates of several potential geographical destinations are determined and sent at the same time.

11. A method, comprising:

transmitting a first request for a first location of a first geographical destination from a mobile device to a first remote location;

transmitting a second request for a first location of a second geographical destination from the mobile device to a second remote location;

receiving at least one of a street address and geographical coordinates of the first location of the first geographical destination in a first text message in response to the first request;

receiving at least one of a street address and geographical coordinates of the first location of the second geographical destination in a second text message in response to the second request;

receiving the at least one of a street address and geographical coordinates of the first location of the first geographical destination at the mobile device;

receiving the at least one of a street address and geographical coordinates of the first location of the second geographical destination at the mobile device;

causing a first location of the mobile device to be determined;

receiving a selection on the mobile device within the text message, the selection being received on the mobile device while the mobile device outputs the text message, the selection further corresponding with an intended destination, wherein the intended destination is one of;

the at least one of a street address and geographical coordinates of the first location of the first geographical destination, and

the at least one of a street address and geographical coordinates of the first location of the second geographical destination;

sending a request for map data to a remote server upon receiving the selections wherein the map data includes data associated with at least three of;

the first location of the mobile device;

the at least one of a street address and geographical coordinates of the first location of the first geographical destination;

the at least one of a street address and geographical coordinates of the first location of the second geographical destination; and

the intended destination;

downloading a plurality of data portions associated with the map data to the mobile device from the remote server via wireless signals;

rendering the map data based on the plurality of data portions, wherein the rendering occurs on the mobile device;

outputting a first portion of the map data having a first graphical representation;

outputting a second portion of the map data having a second graphical representation;

outputting a third portion of the map data having a third graphical representation, wherein the first second, and third graphical representations differ, and are displayed, at least in part, simultaneously;

outputting a fourth portion of the map data having a fourth graphical representation, wherein the fourth graphical representation includes satellite imagery, wherein at least one of the first portion of the map data, the second portion of the map data, the third portion of the map data, and the fourth portion of the map data includes a route from the mobile device to the intended destination, wherein the route is caused to be calculated based on criteria including height limitations, weight limitations, and one or more of speed, distance, time, mode of transit, fees, traffic conditions, walking path availability, and time restrictions;

receiving a present location of the first geographical destination, wherein the present location of the first geographical destination differs from the first location of the first geographical destination;

receiving a present location of the second geographical destination, wherein the present location of the second geographical destination differs from the first location of the second geographical destination;

causing a present location of the mobile device to be determined, wherein the present location of the mobile device differs from the first location of the mobile device;

updating the route based on at least one of the present location of the first geographical destination and the presentation location of the second geographical destination;

updating the map data based on at least two of;

the present location of the first geographical destination;

the present location of the second geographical destination;

the intended destination; and

the present location of the mobile device;

outputting the first portion of the map data having the first graphical representation based on the updated map data;

outputting the second portion of the map data having the second graphical representation based on the updated map data;

outputting the third portion of the map data having the third graphical representation based on the updated map data; and

outputting the fourth portion of the map data having the fourth graphical representation based on the updated map data.

12. A method as recited in claim 11, further comprising generating and outputting, on the mobile device, directions from the present location of the mobile device to the present location of the first geographical destination or to the present location of the second geographical destination.

13. A method as recited in claim 12, further comprising updating the present location of the mobile device and updating the map by downloading additional map data.

14. A method as recited in claim 11, further comprising audibly outputting at least a portion of directions to the first geographical destination or to the second geographical destination.

15. A method as recited in claim 11, further comprising outputting at least a portion of directions to the first geographical destination or to the second geographical destination in text, wherein the geographical coordinates of the first geographical destination or of the second geographical destination include a street address of the geographical destination.

16. A method as recited in claim 11, further comprising simultaneously outputting at least a portion of directions to the first geographical destination or to the second geographical destination in text and at least a portion of the directions graphically on the map.

17. A method as recited in claim 11, further comprising simultaneously outputting at least a portion of directions to the first geographical destination or to the second geographical destination audibly and at least a portion of the directions graphically on the map.

18. A method as recited in claim 11, wherein the first request for the first geographical destination or the second request for the second geographical destination is a verbal request.

19. A method as recited in claim 18, wherein a live person receives the verbal request.

20. A method as recited in claim 18, wherein a machine receives and processes at least a portion of the verbal request using voice recognition.

21. A method as recited in claim 11, wherein the mobile device is a telephone.

22. A method as recited in claim 11, wherein the mobile device is an automobile-mounted device.

23. A method as recited in claim 11, wherein geographical coordinates of several potential geographical destinations are concurrently received and output on the mobile device, wherein the selection in the text message is of one of potential geographical destinations.

24. A method, comprising:

receiving first location of a first remote mobile device at a local mobile device, wherein the first location of the first remote mobile device includes at least one of a street address and geographical coordinates;

receiving a first location of a second remote mobile device at the local mobile device, wherein the first location of the second remote mobile device includes at least one of a street address and geographical coordinates;

causing a first location of the local mobile device to be determined;

receiving a selection on the local mobile device, the selection corresponding with an intended destination, wherein the intended destination is one of the first location of the first remote device and the first location of the second remote device;

downloading a plurality of data portions associated with map data, wherein the data portions include data associated with at least three of;

the first location of the first mobile device;

the first location of the first remote device;

the first location of the second remote device; and

the intended destination;

causing a map to be generated on the local mobile device using the plurality of data portions;

outputting a first portion of the map data having a first graphical representation;

outputting a second portion of the map data having a second graphical representation;

outputting a third portion of the map data having a third graphical representation, wherein the first, second, and third graphical representations differ and are displayed, at least in part, simultaneously;

outputting a fourth portion of the map data having a fourth graphical representation, wherein the fourth graphical representation includes satellite imagery, wherein at least one of the first portion of the map data, the second portion of the map data, the third portion of the map data, and the fourth portion of the map data includes a route from the first mobile device to the intended destination, wherein the route is caused to be calculated based on criteria including height limitations, weight limitations, and one or more of speed, distance, time, mode of transit, fees, traffic conditions, walking path availability, and time restrictions;

causing a present location of the local mobile device to be determined, wherein the present location of the local mobile device differs from the first location of the local mobile device;

receiving a present location of the first remote mobile device, wherein the present location of the first remote mobile device differs from the first location of the first remote mobile device;

receiving a present location of the second remote mobile device, wherein the present location of the second remote mobile device differs from the first location of the second remote mobile device;

in response to outputting the first and second portions of the map, showing the present location of the local mobile device, the present location of the first remote mobile device, and the present location of the second remote mobile device;

causing, on the map output by the local mobile device, a route to be generated from the present location of the local mobile device to either the present location of the first remote mobile device or the present location of the second remote mobile device;

causing directions to be generated based on the route; and

outputting one or more audible commands based on the directions generated, wherein the audible commands include at least two of;

roadway names,

instructions to turn, and

a distance.

25. A method as recited in claim 24, wherein the third graphical representation includes highlighting at least part of the route between the local mobile device to the first remote mobile device or second remote mobile device.

26. A method as recited in claim 24, further comprising updating the present location of the local mobile device and updating the map.

27. A method as recited in claim 24, further comprising outputting at least a portion of directions to the present location of the first remote device or to the present location of the second remote mobile device in text.

28. A method as recited in claim 24, wherein at least one of the local mobile devices is a telephone.

29. A method as recited in claim 24, wherein at least one of the local mobile devices is an automobile-mounted device.

30. A method as recited in claim 24, further comprising

updating the output of the map based on an updated present location of the local mobile device;

and

simultaneously;

sending voice data derived from a microphone of the local mobile device to the remote mobile device, and receiving and outputting the voice data derived from the microphone at the remote mobile device from the remote mobile device on the local mobile device while updating the output of the map.

31. A method as recited in claim 24, further comprising simultaneously receiving textual data from the remote mobile device.

32. A method, comprising:

causing to be determined a present geographical location of a local mobile device;

sending the present geographical location of the local mobile device to a first remote mobile device;

receiving a present geographical location of the first remote mobile device at the local mobile device, wherein the present geographical location of the first remote mobile device includes at least one of a street address and geographical coordinates;

receiving a present geographical location of a second remote device at the local mobile device, wherein the present geographical location of the second remote mobile device includes at least one of a street address and geographical coordinates;

receiving a selection on the local mobile device, the selection corresponding with an intended destination, wherein the intended destination is one of;

the present geographical location of the first remote mobile device, and

the present geographical location of the second remote mobile device;

downloading a plurality of data portions associated with map data for generating a map, the map data being associated with at least three of;

the present location of the local mobile device;

the present location of the first remote device;

the present location of the second remote device; and

the intended destination;

outputting a first portion of the map data having a first graphical representation;

outputting a second portion of the map data having a second graphical representation;

outputting a third portion of the map data having a third graphical representation, wherein the first, second, and third graphical representations differ and are displayed, at least in part, simultaneously; and

outputting a fourth portion of the map data having a fourth graphical representation, wherein the fourth graphical representation includes satellite imagery, wherein at least one of the first portion of the map data, the second portion of the map data, the third portion of the map data, and the fourth portion of the map data includes a route from the first mobile device to the intended destination, wherein the route is caused to be calculated based on criteria including height limitations, weight limitations, and one or more of speed, distance, time, mode of transit, fees, traffic conditions, walking path availability, and time restrictions;

causing to be generated, on the map output by the local mobile device, a route from the present location of the local mobile device to the intended destination;

causing to be determined an updated geographical location of the local mobile device, wherein the updated geographical location of the local mobile device differs from the present geographical location of the local mobile device;

receiving an updated geographical location of the first remote mobile device, wherein the updated geographical location of the first remote mobile device differs from the present geographical location of the first remote mobile device;

receiving an updated geographical location of the second remote mobile device, wherein the updated geographical location of the second remote mobile device differs from the present geographical location of the second remote mobile device;

updating the intended destination based on at least one of;

the updated geographical location of the first remote mobile device;

the updated geographical location of the second remote mobile device; and

updating output of the map data based on at least two of;

the updated geographical location of the local mobile device;

the updated geographical location of the first remote mobile device;

the updated geographical location of the second remote mobile device; and

the updated intended destination;

wherein the output of the map data is further updated periodically until the intended destination is reached.

33. A method as recited in claim 32, wherein the periodic updating includes:

sending a request for an updated geographical location from the local mobile device to the first remote mobile device,

sending a request for an updated geographical location from the local mobile device to the second remote mobile device,

receiving updated geographical location from the first remote mobile device;

receiving updated geographical location from the second remote mobile device;

wherein the request to the first remote mobile device and the request to the second remote mobile device are sent, at least in part, based on a rate of travel.

35. A method, comprising:

transmitting a first verbal request from a first mobile device for a geographical destination associated with a first secondary mobile device, wherein a machine receives and processes at least a portion of the first verbal request using voice recognition;

transmitting a second verbal request from the first mobile device for a geographical destination associated with a second secondary mobile device, wherein a machine receives and processes at least a portion of the second verbal request using voice recognition;

receiving a list of potential matches at the first mobile device, the potential matches being associated with at least one of the geographical destination associated with the first secondary mobile device and the geographical destination associated with the second secondary mobile device;

causing to be determined a geographical location of the first mobile device;

displaying the list of potential matches on the first mobile device;

receiving a-selection on the first mobile device of one of the matches, the selection corresponding with an intended destination, wherein the intended destination is one of;

the geographical destination associated with the first secondary mobile device, and

the geographical destination associated with the second secondary mobile device;

after receiving the selection, sending a request for map data to a remote server;

downloading a plurality of data portions associated with the map data to the first mobile device from the remote server via wireless signals, wherein the data portions include data associated with at least three of;

the geographical location of the first mobile device;

the geographical location of the first secondary mobile device;

the geographical location of the second secondary mobile device;

and the intended destination;

outputting a first portion of a map data having a first graphical representation;

outputting a second portion of the map data having a second graphical representation;

outputting a third portion of the map data having a third graphical representation, wherein the first, second, and third graphical representations differ and are displayed, at least in part, simultaneously; and

outputting a fourth portion of the map data having a fourth graphical representation, wherein the fourth graphical representation includes satellite imagery, wherein at least one of the first portion of the map data, the second portion of the map data, the third portion of the map data, and the fourth portion of the map data includes a route from the first mobile device to the intended destination, wherein the route is caused to be calculated based on criteria including height limitations, weight limitations, and one or more of speed, distance, time, mode of transit, fees, traffic conditions, walking path availability, and time restrictions;

receiving an updated location associated with the first secondary mobile device, wherein the updated location associated with the first secondary mobile device differs from the geographical location associated with the first secondary mobile device;

receiving an updated location associated with the second secondary mobile device, wherein the updated location associated with the second secondary mobile device differs from the geographical location associated with the second secondary mobile device;

causing to be determined an updated location associated with the first mobile device;

updating the intended destination based on at least one of the updated location of the first secondary mobile device and the updated location of the second secondary mobile device;

updating the map data based on at least two of;

the updated location of the first secondary mobile device;

the updated location of the second secondary mobile device;

the intended destination; and

the updated location of the first mobile device;

outputting the first portion of the map data having the first graphical representation based on the updated map data;

outputting the second portion of the map data having the second graphical representation based on the updated map data;

outputting the third portion of the map data having the third graphical representation based on the updated map data; and

outputting the fourth portion of the map data having the fourth graphical representation based on the updated map data.

36. A method as recited in claim 35, further comprising generating and outputting, on the first mobile device, directions from the updated location associated with the first mobile device to the updated location associated with the first secondary mobile device or the updated location associated with the second secondary mobile device.

37. A method as recited in claim 35, wherein the third graphical representation highlights at least part of a route between the updated location associated with the first mobile device and the updated location associated with the first secondary remote device or the updated location associated with the second secondary remote device.

38. A method as recited in claim 35, further comprising causing to be generated, on the map output by the first mobile device, a route from the first mobile device to the first remote mobile device.