Method and apparatus for sending, retrieving and planning location relevant information

• US 20040054428A1
• Filed: 03/03/2003
• Published: 03/18/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/2002
• 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 7,271,742 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/56
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/20 Instruments for performing navigational calculations G01C21/24, G01C21/26 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3438 Rendez-vous, i.e. searching a destination where several users can meet, and the routes to this destination for these users; Ride sharing, i.e. searching a route such that at least two users can share a vehicle for at least part of the route
• 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 21/3679 Retrieval, searching and output of POI information, e.g. hotels, restaurants, shops, filling stations, parking facilities G01C21/3611 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3682 output of POI information on a road map G01C21/3614, G01C21/3685 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04817 using icons graphical or visual programming using iconic symbols G06F8/34
• 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 3/0486 Drag-and-drop
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04892 Arrangements for controlling cursor position based on codes indicative of cursor displacements from one discrete location to another, e.g. using cursor control keys associated to different directions or using the tab key arrangements for controlling cursor position based on coordinate signals G06F3/038
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• 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 1/096844 where the complete route is dynamically recomputed based on new data
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096866 where the complete route is shown to the driver
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0969 having a display in the form of a map
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/04 Real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/403 Arrangements for multi-party communication, e.g. for conferences data switching systems for conference H04L12/18; arrangements for connecting several subscribers to a common circuit, i.e. affording conference facilities H04M3/56; television conferencing systems H04N7/15
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72436 for text messaging, e.g. short messaging services [SMS] or e-mails

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for sending and retrieving location relevant information to a user by selecting and designating a point of interest that is displayed on a graphical user interface and sending the location information associated with that point of interest to a receiver that is also selected using the graphical user interface. The location relevant information may also include mapped routes, waypoints, geo-fenced areas, moving vehicles etc. Updated location relevant information may also be continuously sent to the user while generating updated mapping information on the graphical user interface. The present invention may be practiced by using communication devices such as a personal computer, a personal digital assistance, in-vehicle navigation systems, or a mobile telephone.

Claims

1. A computer-readable medium for use by a sender in a sender communication device having a processor, a data storage medium, an input device, and a display device for providing a graphical interface, said graphical interface including a movable graphical pointer for selecting and moving graphical icons displayed on the graphical interface, said computer-readable medium including executable instructions for causing the processor to execute the steps of:

displaying a receiver graphical icon representing a receiver;

displaying a point-of-interest graphical icon representing a point of interest; and

in response to a user command signal, sending, to a receiver communication device, location information associated with the point of interest, said user command signal being generated by the user moving the graphical pointer to select and move the point-of-interest graphical icon towards the receiver graphical icon.

2. The computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein said processor further executes the step of displaying a graphical representation of a map.

3. The computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein said processor further executes the step of receiving location information associated with the point of interest.

4. The computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein said processor further executes the step of displaying a graphical representation of a route connecting between a location of the receiver and a location of the point of interest.

5. The computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein said processor further executes the step of receiving location information associated with the receiver.

6. The computer-readable medium of claim 5, wherein the location information associated with the receiver is retrieved from the data storage medium.

7. The computer-readable medium of claim 5, wherein the location information associated with the receiver is retrieved from the receiver communication device.

8. The computer-readable medium of claim 5, wherein said processor further executes the step of receiving updated location information associated with the receiver.

9. The computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein said processor further executes the step of displaying a graphical representation of a route connecting between a location of the sender and a location of the receiver.

10. The computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein said processor further executes the steps of displaying a graphical representation of a route connecting between a location of the sender and a location of the point of interest.

11. The computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein said processor further executes the steps of displaying a graphical representation of a route connecting between a location of the sender and a location of the receiver.

12. The computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein said processor further executes the steps of:

receiving location information associated with the receiver indicating a location of the receiver;

displaying a graphical representation of a first route connecting between the location of the receiver and a location of the point of interest;

receiving updated location information associated with the receiver indicating an updated location of the receiver;

displaying a graphical representation of a second route connecting between the updated location of the receiver and the location of the point of interest.

13. The computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein said processor further executes the step of altering the graphical representation of the first route.

14. The computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein said processor further executes the step of deleting the display of the graphical representation of the first route.

15. The computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein said processor further executes the step of requesting permission from the receiver to send data to the receiver communication device.

16. The computer-readable medium of claim 4, wherein said processor further executes the step of sending to the receiver communication device route information associated with the route connecting between the location of the receiver and the location of the point of interest.

17. The computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein said processor further executes the steps of:

sending to the receiver communication device first route information associated with the first route; and

sending to the receiver communication device second route information associated with the second route.

18. The computer-readable medium of claim 4, wherein said processor further executes the steps of:

displaying a second point-of-interest graphical icon representing a second point of interest; and

in response to a route recalculation signal, displaying a graphical representation of a second route connecting between the location of the receiver, the location of the point of interest, and the location of the second point of interest, said route recalculation signal being generated by the user moving the graphical pointer to select and move the second point-of-interest graphical icon towards the graphical representation of the route connecting between the location of the receiver and the location of the point of interest.

19. The computer-readable medium of claim 16, wherein the processor further executes the steps of:

displaying a second point-of-interest graphical icon representing a second point of interest;

in response to a route recalculation signal, displaying a graphical representation of a second route connecting between the location of the receiver, the location of the point of interest, and the location of the second point of interest, said route recalculation signal being generated by the user moving the graphical pointer to select and move the second point-of-interest graphical icon towards the graphical representation of the route connecting between the location of the receiver and the location of the point of interest; and

sending to the receiver communication device route information associated with the second route connecting between the location of the receiver, the location of the point of interest, and the location of the second point of interest.

20. A computer-readable medium for use by a sender in a sender communication device having a processor, a data storage medium, an input device, and a display device for providing a graphical interface, said graphical interface including a movable graphical pointer for selecting and moving graphical icons displayed on the graphical interface, said computer-readable medium including executable instructions for causing the processor to execute the steps of:

displaying a receiver graphical icon representing a receiver;

displaying a sender graphical icon representing the sender;

retrieving sender location information associated with a location of the sender; and

in response to a user command signal, sending to a receiver communication device the sender location information, said user command signal being generated by the user moving the graphical pointer to select and move the sender graphical icon towards the receiver graphical icon.

21. The computer-readable medium of claim 20, wherein the sender location information is retrieved from the data storage medium.

22. The computer-readable medium of claim 20, wherein the sender location information is retrieved from a global positioning system device.

23. The computer-readable medium of claim 20, wherein the processor further executes the steps of:

retrieving receiver location information associated with a location of the receiver; and

displaying a route connecting between the location of the receiver and the location of the sender.

24. The computer-readable medium of claim 23, wherein the processor further executes the step of sending to the receiver communication device route information associated with the route connecting between the location of the receiver and the location of the sender.

25. The computer-readable medium of claim 23, wherein the receiver location information is retrieved from the receiver communication device.

26. The computer-readable medium of claim 23, wherein the processor further executes the step of

displaying a point-of-interest graphical icon representing a point of interest;

and

in response to a route recalculation signal, retrieving point-of-interest location information associated with the point of interest and displaying a route connecting between the location of the sender, the location of the point of interest, and the location of the receiver.

27. The computer-readable medium of claim 26, wherein the point-of-interest location information is retrieved from the data storage medium.

28. The computer-readable medium of claim 20, wherein the processor further executes the steps of:

retrieving updated sender location information associated with an updated location of the sender; and

sending to the receiver communication device the updated sender location information.

29. The computer-readable medium of claim 23, wherein the processor further executes the steps of:

retrieving updated location information associated with an updated location of the receiver; and

displaying an updated route connecting between the updated location of the receiver and the location of the sender.

30. A computer-readable medium for use in a communication device having a processor, a data storage medium, an input device, and a display device for providing a graphical interface, said graphical interface including a movable graphical pointer for selecting and moving graphical icons displayed on the graphical interface, said computer-readable medium including executable instructions for causing the processor to execute the steps of:

displaying a first user graphical icon representing a first user;

displaying a second user graphical icon representing the second user;

retrieving first user location information associated with a location of the first user; and

in response to a command signal, sending to the second user the first user location information, said command signal being generated by the sender moving the graphical pointer to select and move the first user graphical icon towards the second user graphical icon.

31. The computer-readable medium of claim 30, wherein the first user location information is retrieved from the data storage medium.

32. The computer-readable medium of claim 30, wherein the first user location information is retrieved from the first user.

33. The computer-readable medium of claim 30, wherein the processor further executes the step of requesting permission from the first user to retrieve the first user location information.

34. The computer-readable medium of claim 30, wherein the processor further executes the step of requesting permission from the first user to send to the second user the first user location information.

35. The computer-readable medium of claim 30, wherein the processor further executes the steps of:

retrieve second user location information associated with a location of the second user; and

displaying a graphical representation of a route connecting between the location of the first user and the location of the second user.

36. The computer-readable medium of claim 35, wherein the second user location information is retrieve from the data storage medium.

37. The computer-readable medium of claim 35, wherein the processor further executes the steps of:

retrieving updated first user location information associated with an updated location of the first user; and

in response to a route recalculation signal, displaying a graphical representation of an updated route connecting between the updated location of the first user and the location of the second user.

38. The computer-readable medium of claim 37, wherein the processor further executes the steps of:

retrieving updated second user location information associated with an updated location of the second user; and

in response to a second route recalculation signal, displaying a graphical representation of a second updated route connecting between the updated location of the first user and the updated location of the second user.

39. The computer-readable medium of claim 37, wherein the processor further executes the step of deleting the graphical representation of the route connecting between the location of the first user and the location of the second user.

40. The computer-readable medium of claim 38, wherein the processor further executes the step of deleting the graphical representation of the updated route connecting between the updated location of the first user and the location of the second user.

41. In a sender communication device for use by a sender, said sender communication device including a data storage medium, an input device, and a display device for providing a graphical interface, said graphical interface including a movable graphical pointer for selecting and moving graphical icons displayed on the graphical interface, a programmed processor for executing the steps of:

displaying a receiver graphical icon representing a receiver;

displaying a point-of-interest graphical icon representing a point of interest; and

in response to a user command signal, sending, to a receiver communication device, location information associated with the point of interest, said user command signal being generated by the user moving the graphical pointer to select and move the point-of-interest graphical icon towards the receiver graphical icon.

42. The programmed processor of claim 41, wherein said processor further executes the step of displaying a graphical representation of a map.

43. The programmed processor of claim 41, wherein said processor further executes the step of receiving location information associated with the point of interest.

44. The programmed processor of claim 41, wherein said processor further executes the step of displaying a graphical representation of a route connecting between a location of the receiver and a location of the point of interest.

45. The programmed processor of claim 41, wherein said processor further executes the step of receiving location information associated with the receiver.

46. The programmed processor of claim 45, wherein the location information associated with the receiver is retrieved from the data storage medium.

47. The programmed processor of claim 45, wherein the location information associated with the receiver is retrieved from the receiver communication device.

48. The programmed processor of claim 45, wherein said processor further executes the step of receiving updated location information associated with the receiver.

49. The programmed processor of claim 41, wherein said processor further executes the step of displaying a graphical representation of a route connecting between a location of the sender and a location of the receiver.

50. The programmed processor of claim 41, wherein said processor further executes the steps of displaying a graphical representation of a route connecting between a location of the sender and a location of the point of interest.

51. The programmed processor of claim 41, wherein said processor further executes the steps of displaying a graphical representation of a route connecting between a location of the sender and a location of the receiver.

52. The programmed processor of claim 41, wherein said processor further executes the steps of:

receiving location information associated with the receiver indicating a location of the receiver;

displaying a graphical representation of a first route connecting between the location of the receiver and a location of the point of interest;

receiving updated location information associated with the receiver indicating an updated location of the receiver;

displaying a graphical representation of a second route connecting between the updated location of the receiver and the location of the point of interest.

53. The programmed processor of claim 52, wherein said processor further executes the step of altering the graphical representation of the first route.

54. The programmed processor of claim 52, wherein said processor further executes the step of deleting the display of the graphical representation of the first route.

55. The programmed processor of claim 41, wherein said processor further executes the step of requesting permission from the receiver to send data to the receiver communication device.

56. The programmed processor of claim 44, wherein said processor further executes the step of sending to the receiver communication device route information associated with the route connecting between the location of the receiver and the location of the point of interest.

57. The programmed processor of claim 52, wherein said processor further executes the steps of:

sending to the receiver communication device first route information associated with the first route; and

sending to the receiver communication device second route information associated with the second route.

58. The programmed processor of claim 44, wherein said processor further executes the steps of:

displaying a second point-of-interest graphical icon representing a second point of interest; and

in response to a route recalculation signal, displaying a graphical representation of a second route connecting between the location of the receiver, the location of the point of interest, and the location of the second point of interest, said route recalculation signal being generated by the user moving the graphical pointer to select and move the second point-of-interest graphical icon towards the graphical representation of the route connecting between the location of the receiver and the location of the point of interest.

59. The programmed processor of claim 56, wherein the processor further executes the steps of:

displaying a second point-of-interest graphical icon representing a second point of interest;

in response to a route recalculation signal, displaying a graphical representation of a second route connecting between the location of the receiver, the location of the point of interest, and the location of the second point of interest, said route recalculation signal being generated by the user moving the graphical pointer to select and move the second point-of-interest graphical icon towards the graphical representation of the route connecting between the location of the receiver and the location of the point of interest; and

sending to the receiver communication device route information associated with the second route connecting between the location of the receiver, the location of the point of interest, and the location of the second point of interest.

60. In a sender communication device for use by a sender, said sender communication device including, a data storage medium, an input device, and a display device for providing a graphical interface, said graphical interface including a movable graphical pointer for selecting and moving graphical icons displayed on the graphical interface, a programmed processor for executing the steps of:

displaying a receiver graphical icon representing a receiver;

displaying a sender graphical icon representing the sender;

retrieving sender location information associated with a location of the sender; and

in response to a user command signal, sending to a receiver communication device the sender location information, said user command signal being generated by the user moving the graphical pointer to select and move the sender graphical icon towards the receiver graphical icon.

61. The programmed processor of claim 60, wherein the sender location information is retrieved from the data storage medium.

62. The programmed processor of claim 60, wherein the sender location information is retrieved from a global-positioning-system device.

63. The programmed processor of claim 60, wherein the processor further executes the steps of:

retrieving receiver location information associated with a location of the receiver; and

displaying a route connecting between the location of the receiver and the location of the sender.

64. The programmed processor of claim 63, wherein the processor further executes the step of sending to the receiver communication device route information associated with the route connecting between the location of the receiver and the location of the sender.

65. The programmed processor of claim 63, wherein the receiver location information is retrieved from the receiver communication device.

66. The programmed processor of claim 63, wherein the processor further executes the step of

displaying a point-of-interest graphical icon representing a point of interest;

and

in response to a route recalculation signal, retrieving point-of-interest location information associated with the point of interest and displaying a route connecting between the location of the sender, the location of the point of interest, and the location of the receiver.

67. The programmed processor of claim 66, wherein the point-of-interest location information is retrieved from the data storage medium.

68. The programmed processor of claim 60, wherein the processor further executes the steps of:

retrieving updated sender location information associated with an updated location of the sender; and

sending to the receiver communication device the updated sender location information.

69. The programmed processor of claim 63, wherein the processor further executes the steps of:

retrieving updated location information associated with an updated location of the receiver; and

displaying an updated route connecting between the updated location of the receiver and the location of the sender.

70. In a communication device having a data storage medium, an input device, and a display device for providing a graphical interface, said graphical interface including a movable graphical pointer for selecting and moving graphical icons displayed on the graphical interface, a programmed processor for executing the steps of:

displaying a first user graphical icon representing a first user;

displaying a second user graphical icon representing the second user;

retrieving first user location information associated with a location of the first user; and

in response to a command signal, sending to the second user the first user location information, said command signal being generated by the sender moving the graphical pointer to select and move the first user graphical icon towards the second user graphical icon.

71. The programmed processor of claim 70, wherein the first user location information is retrieved from the data storage medium.

72. The programmed processor of claim 70, wherein the first user location information is retrieved from the first user.

73. The programmed processor of claim 70, wherein the processor further executes the step of requesting permission from the first user to retrieve the first user location information.

74. The programmed processor of claim 70, wherein the processor further executes the step of requesting permission from the first user to send to the second user the first user location information.

75. The programmed processor of claim 70, wherein the processor further executes the steps of:

retrieve second user location information associated with a location of the second user; and

displaying a graphical representation of a route connecting between the location of the first user and the location of the second user.

76. The programmed processor of claim 75, wherein the second user location information is retrieve from the data storage medium.

77. The programmed processor of claim 75, wherein the processor further executes the steps of:

retrieving updated first user location information associated with an updated location of the first user; and

in response to a route recalculation signal, displaying a graphical representation of an updated route connecting between the updated location of the first user and the location of the second user.

78. The programmed processor of claim 77, wherein the processor further executes the steps of:

retrieving updated second user location information associated with an updated location of the second user; and

in response to a second route recalculation signal, displaying a graphical representation of a second updated route connecting between the updated location of the first user and the updated location of the second user.

79. The programmed processor of claim 77, wherein the processor further executes the step of deleting the graphical representation of the route connecting between the location of the first user and the location of the second user.

80. The programmed processor of claim 78, wherein the processor further executes the step of deleting the graphical representation of the updated route connecting between the updated location of the first user and the location of the second user.

81. A method of sending location information using a sender communication device, said sender communication device being used by a sender and including a processor, a data storage medium, an input device, and a display device for providing a graphical interface, said graphical interface including a movable graphical pointer for selecting and moving graphical icons displayed on the graphical interface, the method comprising the steps of:

displaying a receiver graphical icon representing a receiver;

displaying a point-of-interest graphical icon representing a point of interest; and

in response to a user command signal, sending, to a receiver communication device, location information associated with the point of interest, said user command signal being generated by the user moving the graphical pointer to select and move the point-of-interest graphical icon towards the receiver graphical icon.

82. The method of claim 81, further comprising the step of displaying a graphical representation of a map.

83. The method of claim 81, further comprising the step of receiving location information associated with the point of interest.

84. The method of claim 81, further comprising the step of displaying a graphical representation of a route connecting between a location of the receiver and a location of the point of interest.

85. The method of claim 81, further comprising the step of receiving location information associated with the receiver.

86. The method of claim 85, wherein the location information associated with the receiver is retrieved from the data storage medium.

87. The method of claim 85, wherein the location information associated with the receiver is retrieved from the receiver communication device.

88. The method of claim 85, further comprising the step of receiving updated location information associated with the receiver.

89. The method of claim 81, further comprising the step of displaying a graphical representation of a route connecting between a location of the sender and a location of the receiver.

90. The method of claim 81, further comprising the steps of displaying a graphical representation of a route connecting between a location of the sender and a location of the point of interest.

91. The method of claim 81, further comprising the steps of displaying a graphical representation of a route connecting between a location of the sender and a location of the receiver.

92. The method of claim 81, further comprising the steps of:

receiving location information associated with the receiver indicating a location of the receiver;

displaying a graphical representation of a first route connecting between the location of the receiver and a location of the point of interest;

receiving updated location information associated with the receiver indicating an updated location of the receiver;

displaying a graphical representation of a second route connecting between the updated location of the receiver and the location of the point of interest.

93. The method of claim 92, further comprising the step of altering the graphical representation of the first route.

94. The method of claim 92, further comprising the step of deleting the display of the graphical representation of the first route.

95. The method of claim 81, further comprising the step of requesting permission from the receiver to send data to the receiver communication device.

96. The method of claim 84, further comprising the step of sending to the receiver communication device route information associated with the route connecting between the location of the receiver and the location of the point of interest.

97. The method of claim 92, further comprising the steps of:

sending to the receiver communication device first route information associated with the first route; and

sending to the receiver communication device second route information associated with the second route.

98. The method of claim 84, further comprising the steps of:

displaying a second point-of-interest graphical icon representing a second point of interest; and

in response to a route recalculation signal, displaying a graphical representation of a second route connecting between the location of the receiver, the location of the point of interest, and the location of the second point of interest, said route recalculation signal being generated by the user moving the graphical pointer to select and move the second point-of-interest graphical icon towards the graphical representation of the route connecting between the location of the receiver and the location of the point of interest.

99. The method of claim 96, further comprising the steps of:

displaying a second point-of-interest graphical icon representing a second point of interest;

in response to a route recalculation signal, displaying a graphical representation of a second route connecting between the location of the receiver, the location of the point of interest, and the location of the second point of interest, said route recalculation signal being generated by the user moving the graphical pointer to select and move the second point-of-interest graphical icon towards the graphical representation of the route connecting between the location of the receiver and the location of the point of interest; and

sending to the receiver communication device route information associated with the second route connecting between the location of the receiver, the location of the point of interest, and the location of the second point of interest.

100. A method of sending location information using a sender communication device, said sender communication device being used by a sender and including a processor, a data storage medium, an input device, and a display device for providing a graphical interface, said graphical interface including a movable graphical pointer for selecting and moving graphical icons displayed on the graphical interface, the method comprising the steps of:

displaying a receiver graphical icon representing a receiver;

displaying a sender graphical icon representing the sender;

retrieving sender location information associated with a location of the sender; and

in response to a user command signal, sending to a receiver communication device the sender location information, said user command signal being generated by the user moving the graphical pointer to select and move the sender graphical icon towards the receiver graphical icon.

101. The method of claim 100, wherein the sender location information is retrieved from the data storage medium.

102. The method of claim 100, wherein the sender location information is retrieved from a global positioning system device.

103. The method of claim 100, wherein the method further comprising the steps of:

retrieving receiver location information associated with a location of the receiver; and

displaying a route connecting between the location of the receiver and the location of the sender.

104. The method of claim 103, wherein the method further comprising the step of sending to the receiver communication device route information associated with the route connecting between the location of the receiver and the location of the sender.

105. The method of claim 103, wherein the receiver location information is retrieved from the receiver communication device.

106. The method of claim 103, wherein the method further comprising the step of

displaying a point-of-interest graphical icon representing a point of interest;

and

in response to a route recalculation signal, retrieving point-of-interest location information associated with the point of interest and displaying a route connecting between the location of the sender, the location of the point of interest, and the location of the receiver.

107. The method of claim 106, wherein the point-of-interest location information is retrieved from the data storage medium.

108. The method of claim 100, wherein the method further comprising the steps of:

retrieving updated sender location information associated with an updated location of the sender; and

sending to the receiver communication device the updated sender location information.

109. The method of claim 103, wherein the method further comprising the steps of:

retrieving updated location information associated with an updated location of the receiver; and

displaying an updated route connecting between the updated location of the receiver and the location of the sender.

110. A method for sending location information using a communication device having a processor, a data storage medium, an input device, and a display device for providing a graphical interface, said graphical interface including a movable graphical pointer for selecting and moving graphical icons displayed on the graphical interface, said method comprising the steps of:

displaying a first user graphical icon representing a first user;

displaying a second user graphical icon representing the second user;

retrieving first user location information associated with a location of the first user; and

in response to a command signal, sending to the second user the first user location information, said command signal being generated by the sender moving the graphical pointer to select and move the first user graphical icon towards the second user graphical icon.

111. The method of claim 110, wherein the first user location information is retrieved from the data storage medium.

112. The method of claim 110, wherein the first user location information is retrieved from the first user.

113. The method of claim 110, wherein the method further comprising the step of requesting permission from the first user to retrieve the first user location information.

114. The method of claim 110, wherein the method further comprising the step of requesting permission from the first user to send to the second user the first user location information.

115. The method of claim 110, wherein the method further comprising the steps of:

retrieve second user location information associated with a location of the second user; and

displaying a graphical representation of a route connecting between the location of the first user and the location of the second user.

116. The method of claim 115, wherein the second user location information is retrieve from the data storage medium.

117. The method of claim 115, wherein the method further comprising the steps of:

retrieving updated first user location information associated with an updated location of the first user; and

in response to a route recalculation signal, displaying a graphical representation of an updated route connecting between the updated location of the first user and the location of the second user.

118. The method of claim 117, wherein the method further comprising the steps of:

retrieving updated second user location information associated with an updated location of the second user; and

in response to a second route recalculation signal, displaying a graphical representation of a second updated route connecting between the updated location of the first user and the updated location of the second user.

119. The method of claim 117, wherein the method further comprising the step of deleting the graphical representation of the route connecting between the location of the first user and the location of the second user.

120. The method of claim 118, wherein the method further comprising the step of deleting the graphical representation of the updated route connecting between the updated location of the first user and the location of the second user.

121. A computer-readable medium for use by a sender in a sender communication device, said sender communication device being a wireless mobile communication device and including a processor, a data storage medium, an input device, and a display device, said computer-readable medium including executable instructions for causing the processor to execute the steps of:

displaying a receiver entry representing a receiver;

displaying a point-of-interest entry representing a point of interest;

receiving a user signal selecting the point-of-interest entry for sending point-of-interest location information associated with a location of the point of interest;

receiving a user signal selecting the receiver entry for sending the point-of-interest location information to the receiver; and

sending the point-of-interest location information to the receiver.

122. The computer-readable medium of claim 121, wherein the processor further executes the step of retrieving the point-of-interest location information from the data storage medium.

123. The computer-readable medium of claim 121, wherein the processor further executes the step of displaying a graphical representation of a route connecting between the location of the point of interest and a location of the receiver.

124. The computer-readable medium of claim 121, wherein the processor further executes the steps of:

receiving location information associated with the receiver indicating a location of the receiver;

displaying a graphical representation of a first route connecting between the location of the receiver and a location of the point of interest;

receiving updated location information associated with the receiver indicating an updated location of the receiver;

displaying a graphical representation of a second route connecting between the updated location of the receiver and the location of the point of interest.

125. The computer-readable medium of claim 124, wherein the wireless mobile communication device is a personal digital assistant.

126. In a sender communication device for use by a sender, said sender communication device being a wireless mobile communication device and including a data storage medium, an input device, and a display device, a programmed processor for executing the steps of:

displaying a receiver entry representing a receiver;

displaying a point-of-interest entry representing a point of interest;

receiving a user signal selecting the point-of-interest entry for sending point-of-interest location information associated with a location of the point of interest;

receiving a user signal selecting the receiver entry for sending the point-of-interest location information to the receiver; and

sending the point-of-interest location information to the receiver.

127. The programmed processor of claim 126, wherein the processor further executes the step of retrieving the point-of-interest location information from the data storage medium.

128. The programmed processor of claim 126, wherein the processor further executes the step of displaying a graphical representation of a route connecting between the location of the point of interest and a location of the receiver.

129. The programmed processor of claim 126, wherein the processor further executes the steps of:

receiving location information associated with the receiver indicating a location of the receiver;

displaying a graphical representation of a first route connecting between the location of the receiver and a location of the point of interest;

receiving updated location information associated with the receiver indicating an updated location of the receiver;

displaying a graphical representation of a second route connecting between the updated location of the receiver and the location of the point of interest.

130. The programmed processor of claim 129, wherein the wireless mobile communication device is a personal digital assistant.

131. A method of sending location information using a sender communication device for use by a sender, said sender communication device being a wireless mobile communication device and including a processor, a data storage medium, an input device, and a display device, the method comprising the steps of:

displaying a receiver entry representing a receiver;

displaying a point-of-interest entry representing a point of interest;

receiving a user signal selecting the point-of-interest entry for sending point-of-interest location information associated with a location of the point of interest;

receiving a user signal selecting the receiver entry for sending the point-of-interest location information to the receiver; and

sending the point-of-interest location information to the receiver.

132. The method of claim 131, further comprising the step of retrieving the point-of-interest location information from the data storage medium.

133. The method of claim 131, further comprising the step of displaying a graphical representation of a route connecting between the location of the point of interest and a location of the receiver.

134. The method of claim 131, further comprising the steps of:

receiving location information associated with the receiver indicating a location of the receiver;

displaying a graphical representation of a first route connecting between the location of the receiver and a location of the point of interest;

receiving updated location information associated with the receiver indicating an updated location of the receiver;

displaying a graphical representation of a second route connecting between the updated location of the receiver and the location of the point of interest.

135. The method of claim 134, wherein the wireless mobile communication device is a personal digital assitant.