Interactive network directory service with integrated maps and directions
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of faxing a message to a particular location, comprising:
- storing a plurality of business names and locations in a database accessible to a server;
storing a fax number in said database corresponding to one of said plurality of business names and locations;
inputting a user query having at least a portion of a name of a business;
receiving from said server at least one business name and corresponding location stored in said database satisfying said user query;
displaying at least one business name and corresponding location satisfying said user query;
selecting a business name from said at least one business name and corresponding location satisfying said user query;
inputting a starting location;
receiving from said server information for displaying a map and an indicator for said selected location on said map;
displaying directions from said starting location to said selected location; and
selecting a fax icon that uses said fax number from said database for faxing a message to said selected location.
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Abstract
The present invention provides a network accessible service which integrates both a business directory and a map database. A user can search the business directory in a variety of methods, including using aspects of the map database (i.e., a radius) to quantify the search. The user can then obtain directions from a specified user location to a selected search result. All of this is conveniently accomplished through a single website access.
192 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method of faxing a message to a particular location, comprising:
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storing a plurality of business names and locations in a database accessible to a server; storing a fax number in said database corresponding to one of said plurality of business names and locations; inputting a user query having at least a portion of a name of a business; receiving from said server at least one business name and corresponding location stored in said database satisfying said user query; displaying at least one business name and corresponding location satisfying said user query; selecting a business name from said at least one business name and corresponding location satisfying said user query; inputting a starting location; receiving from said server information for displaying a map and an indicator for said selected location on said map; displaying directions from said starting location to said selected location; and selecting a fax icon that uses said fax number from said database for faxing a message to said selected location. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A system for communicating over a network, comprising:
a client processing system coupled to said network and including; a client system input module configured to input a user query specifying locations of interest, a client system receiving module configured to receive from a central server at least one location and corresponding E-mail address satisfying said user query, an indicating module configured to indicate a selected location from said at least one location satisfying said user query, a client system transmitting module configured to transmit an E-mail message to said E-mail address, and said client system receiving module being configured to receive from said central server information for displaying a map and an indicator for said selected location on said map; and said central server coupled to said network and including; a directory database of physical locations with corresponding descriptions and location information, a map database of map information, a central server transmitting module configured to transmit a search client to said client system, a central server receiving module configured to receive a search description from said client system to said central server using said search client, said central server transmitting module being configured to transmit from said central server to said client system a listing of at least one physical location corresponding to said search description from said client system, along with a map displaying an indication of said physical location, said central server receiving module being configured to receive from said client system a designated physical location, said central server receiving module being configured to receive from said client system a request for directions indicating a starting location, a direction generating module configured to generate, using said starting location and said designated physical location and said database of map information, directions from said starting location to said designated physical location, and said central server transmitting module being configured to transmit from said central server to said client system said directions. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
Specification