Method and system for saving and retrieving spatial related information

• US 7,256,711 B2
• Filed: 02/17/2004
• Issued: 08/14/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Artax LLC (IPValuation Partners, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Networks In Motion Incorporated (Comtech Telecommunications Corporation)
• Inventors: Sheha, Michael A., Sheha, Angie, Petilli, Stephen, Goddard, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Benjamin C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BLOUNT, ERIC
• Application Number:
  US10/781,087
• Publication Number:
  US 20050073443A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,274 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539.13
• US Class Current: 340/995.1
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/26 specially adapted for navigation in a road network
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/36 Input/output arrangements for on-board computers
• 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: G01C 21/3697 Output of additional, non-guidance related information, e.g. low fuel level G01C21/3679 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0962 having an indicator mounted inside the vehicle, e.g. giving voice messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/027 using movement velocity, acceleration information

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for storing, referencing, retrieving, and graphically displaying spatial and non-spatial related information of a mobile computing device, such as a laptop computer or a cellular telephone. The spatial-related information may be obtained by using positioning tracking systems such as a global positioning system, whereas the non-spatial related information may include communication activities associated with the mobile computing device, such as phone calls, e-mails, text messages, pages, etc. The present invention also provides methods and apparatus of summarizing the spatial and non-spatial related information for more effective and intuitive display of the information to the user, including the use of graphical map and calendar of events. Finally, the present invention provides methods and apparatus for sharing the spatial and non-spatial related information with other users, and for planning routes of travel using the spatial and non-spatial related information.

Claims

1. A machine-readable medium having a set of executable instructions for causing a processor to perform a method of displaying position information of a mobile communication device, said processor being operatively coupled to the mobile communication device, said mobile communication device including a machine-readable memory, a display, a GPS device, a communication interface, and a timing element, said method comprising the steps of:

periodically receiving position information of the mobile communication device using said GPS device, said position information describing a position of said mobile communication device;

associating each periodically received position information with a time data, said time data indicating a time at which each position information was received;

storing in said machine-readable memory the periodically received position information into said machine-readable memory;

displaying, on the display of the mobile communication device, a graphical map;

displaying on said graphical map a graphical position icon indicating a position described by one of said periodically received position information;

displaying the time data associated with the position information describing the position indicated by said graphical position icon;

recording in said machine-readable memory each communication activity of said communication interface;

associating time data with each communication activity recorded; and

periodically reading data stored on said machine-readable memory and writing the read data to a second machine-readable memory, said second machine-readable memory being periodically operatively coupled to said mobile communication device,

wherein said communication activity is one of a dialed telephone call, a missed telephone call, a received telephone call, an e-mail message reception or transmission, a voice mail recording, an instant text message reception or transmission, and a page reception or transmission.

13. The machine-readable medium of claim 1, 2, 3, 5, or 6, wherein said processor is operatively coupled to a second machine-readable medium via a wireless communications network.

14. The machine-readable medium of claim 1, 2, 3, 5, or 6, wherein said mobile communication device is a cellular telephone.

15. The machine-readable medium of claim 1, 2, 3, 5, or 6, wherein said method further comprises the steps of:

retrieving from said machine-readable memory a point-of-interest location, said point-of-interest location being located within a predetermined proximity of the position indicated by said graphical position icon; and

displaying on said graphical map a point-of-interest icon indicating the point-of-interest location on said graphical map.

16. The machine-readable medium of claim 15, wherein said method further comprises a step of calculating a distance between said point of interest location and the position indicated by said graphical position icon.

17. The machine-readable medium of claim 1, 2, 3, 5, or 6, wherein said method further comprises a step of calculating a traveling speed of said mobile communication device using the periodically received position information and the associated time data.

2. A machine-readable medium having a set of executable instructions for causing a processor to perform a method of displaying position information of a mobile communication device, said processor being operatively coupled to the mobile communication device, said mobile communication device including a machine-readable memory, a display, a GPS device, a communication interface, and a timing element, said method comprising the steps of:

periodically receiving position information of the mobile communication device using said GPS device, said position information describing a position of said mobile communication device;

associating each periodically received position information with a time data, said time data indicating a time at which each position information was received;

storing in said machine-readable memory the periodically received position information into said machine-readable memory;

displaying, on the display of the mobile communication device, a graphical map;

displaying on said graphical map a graphical position icon indicating a position described by one of said periodically received position information;

displaying the time data associated with the position information describing the position indicated by said graphical position icon;

recording in said machine-readable memory each communication activity of said communication interface;

associating time data with each communication activity recorded;

displaying at least one recorded communication activity;

reproducing communication content data associated with the displayed recorded communication activity, wherein said communication content data is one of text data and sound data; and

displaying a corresponding received position information, said corresponding received position information indicating a position of said mobile communication device during which said displayed communication activity occurred.

8. The machine-readable medium of claim 2, 3, 6, or 7, wherein said communication activity is one of a dialed telephone call, a missed telephone call, a received telephone call, an e-mail message reception or transmission, a voice mail recording, an instant text message reception or transmission, and a page reception or transmission.

3. A machine-readable medium having a set of executable instructions for causing a processor to perform a method of displaying position information of a mobile communication device, said processor being operatively coupled to the mobile communication device, said mobile communication device including a machine-readable memory, a display, a GPS device, a communication interface, and a timing element, said method comprising the steps of:

periodically receiving position information of the mobile communication device using said GPS device, said position information describing a position of said mobile communication device;

associating each periodically received position information with a time data, said time data indicating a time at which each position information was received;

storing in said machine-readable memory the periodically received position information into said machine-readable memory;

displaying, on the display of the mobile communication device, a graphical map;

displaying on said graphical map a graphical position icon indicating a position described by one of said periodically received position information;

displaying the time data associated with the position information describing the position indicated by said graphical position icon;

recording in said machine-readable memory each communication activity of said communication interface;

associating time data with each communication activity recorded;

receiving a time range input signal indicating a period of time, said period of time defined by a starting time and an ending time; and

displaying a plurality of recorded communication activity, wherein each of said recorded communication activity occurred during the period of time specified by the time range input signal.

4. The machine-readable medium of claim 3, wherein said method further comprises the steps of:

receiving a designation input signal, said designation input signal designating one of said displayed communication activity; and

reproducing communication content data associated with the displayed recorded communication activity, wherein said communication content data is one of text data and sound data.

21. The machine-readable medium of claim 3, wherein said method further comprises a step of associating a retrieved position information with each communication activity.

25. The machine-readable medium of claim 3, wherein said method further comprises the steps of:

receiving a time range input signal indicating a period of time, said period of time defined by a starting time and an ending time; and

displaying on said graphical map a plurality of position history icons, each of said position history icon indicating a position described by one of said periodically received position information that were received during the period of time specified by the time range input signal.

5. A machine-readable medium having a set of executable instructions for causing a processor to perform a method of displaying position information of a mobile communication device, said processor being operatively coupled to the mobile communication device, said mobile communication device being operatively coupled to at least one machine-readable memory, a display, a GPS device, a communication interface, and a timing element, said method comprising the steps of:

periodically receiving position information of the mobile communication device using said GPS device, said position information describing a position of said mobile communication device;

associating each periodically received position information with a time data, said time data indicating a time at which each position information was received;

storing in said machine-readable memory the periodically received position information into said machine-readable memory;

displaying a graphical map;

displaying on said graphical map a graphical position icon indicating a position described by one of said periodically received position information;

displaying the time data associated with the position information describing the position indicated by said graphical position icon;

displaying a graphical calendar, said graphical calendar including a plurality of sequential time slot locations indicating different sequential periods of time;

receiving a time slot designation signal designating a time slot displayed on said graphical calendar; and

displaying on said graphical map a plurality of position history icons, each of said position history icon indicating a position described by one of said periodically received position information that were received during the time period indicated by the designated time slot.

6. A machine-readable medium having a set of executable instructions for causing a processor to perform a method of displaying position information of a mobile communication device, said processor being operatively coupled to the mobile communication device, said mobile communication device being operatively coupled to at least one machine-readable memory, a display, a GPS device, a communication interface, and a timing element, said method comprising the steps of:

periodically receiving position information of the mobile communication device using said GPS device, said position information describing a position of said mobile communication device;

associating each periodically received position information with a time data, said time data indicating a time at which each position information was received;

storing in said machine-readable memory the periodically received position information into said machine-readable memory;

displaying a graphical map;

displaying on said graphical map a graphical position icon indicating a position described by one of said periodically received position information;

displaying the time data associated with the position information describing the position indicated by said graphical position icon;

displaying a graphical calendar, said graphical calendar including a plurality of sequential time slot locations indicating different sequential periods of time;

recording in said machine-readable memory each communication activity of said communication interface;

associating time data with each communication activity recorded;

receiving a time slot designation signal designating a time slot displayed on said graphical calendar; and

displaying a plurality of recorded communication activity, wherein each of said recorded communication activity occurred during the period of time specified by the designated time slot.

7. A machine-readable medium having a set of executable instructions for causing a processor to perform a method of displaying position information of a mobile communication device, said processor being operatively coupled to the mobile communication device, said mobile communication device being operatively coupled to at least one machine-readable memory, a display, a GPS device, a communication interface, and a timing element, said method comprising the steps of:

periodically receiving position information of the mobile communication device using said GPS device, said position information describing a position of said mobile communication device;

associating each periodically received position information with a time data, said time data indicating a time at which each position information was received;

storing in said machine-readable memory the periodically received position information into said machine-readable memory;

displaying a graphical map;

displaying on said graphical map a graphical position icon indicating a position described by one of said periodically received position information;

displaying the time data associated with the position information describing the position indicated by said graphical position icon; and

displaying a graphical calendar, said graphical calendar including a plurality of sequential time slot locations indicating different sequential periods of time; and

periodically reading data stored on said machine-readable memory and writing the read data to a second machine-readable memory, said second machine-readable memory being periodically operatively coupled to said mobile communication device.

9. A method of displaying position information of a mobile communication device, said mobile communication device being operatively coupled to at least one machine-readable memory, a display, a GPS device, a communication interface, and a timing element, said method comprising the steps of:

periodically receiving position information of the mobile communication device using said GPS device, said position information describing a position of said mobile communication device;

associating each periodically received position information with a time data, said time data indicating a time at which each position information was received;

storing in said machine-readable memory the periodically received position information into said machine-readable memory;

displaying a graphical map;

displaying on said graphical map a graphical position icon indicating a position described by one of said periodically received position information;

displaying the time data associated with the position information describing the position indicated by said graphical position icon;

displaying a graphical calendar, said graphical calendar including a plurality of sequential time slot locations indicating different sequential periods of time;

receiving a time slot designation signal designating a time slot displayed on said graphical calendar; and

displaying on said graphical map a plurality of position history icons, each of said position history icon indicating a position described by one of said periodically received position information that were received during the time period indicated by the designated time slot.

10. A method of displaying position information of a mobile communication device, said mobile communication device being operatively coupled to at least one machine-readable memory, a display, a GPS device, a communication interface, and a timing element, said method comprising the steps of:

periodically receiving position information of the mobile communication device using said GPS device, said position information describing a position of said mobile communication device;

associating each periodically received position information with a time data, said time data indicating a time at which each position information was received;

storing in said machine-readable memory the periodically received position information into said machine-readable memory;

displaying a graphical map;

displaying on said graphical map a graphical position icon indicating a position described by one of said periodically received position information;

displaying the time data associated with the position information describing the position indicated by said graphical position icon;

displaying a graphical calendar, said graphical calendar including a plurality of sequential time slot locations indicating different sequential periods of time

recording in said machine-readable memory each communication activity of said communication interface;

associating time data with each communication activity recorded;

receiving a time slot designation signal designating a time slot displayed on said graphical calendar; and

displaying a plurality of recorded communication activity, wherein each of said recorded communication activity occurred during the period of time specified by the designated time slot.

28. The method of claim 9 or 10, wherein the denomination of said sequential periods of time is one of year, month, week, day, hour, and minute.

11. A mobile communication device comprising:

a memory;

a display;

a communication interface;

a timing element;

a GPS receiver for periodically receiving position information of the mobile communication device using said GPS device, said position information describing a position of said mobile communication device; and

a processor programmed to perform the steps of;

associate each periodically received position information with a time data, said time data received from the timing element, said time data indicating a time at which each position information was received;

store in said memory the periodically received position information;

cause the display of a graphical map;

cause the display, on said graphical map, of a graphical position icon indicating a position described by one of said periodically received position information;

cause the display of the time data associated with the position information describing the position indicated by said graphical position icon;

cause the display of a graphical calendar, said graphical calendar including a plurality of sequential time slot locations indicating different sequential periods of time;

receive a time slot designation signal designating a time slot displayed on said graphical calendar; and

cause the display of a plurality of position history icons, each of said position history icon indicating a position described by one of said periodically received position information that were received during the time period indicated by the designated time slot.

29. The mobile communication device of claim 11 or 12, wherein the denomination of said sequential periods of time is one of year, month, week, day, hour, and minute.

12. A mobile communication device comprising:

a memory;

a display;

a communication interface;

a timing element;

a GPS receiver for periodically receiving position information of the mobile communication device using said GPS device, said position information describing a position of said mobile communication device; and

a processor programmed to perform the steps of;

associate each periodically received position information with a time data, said time data received from the timing element, said time data indicating a time at which each position information was received;

store in said memory the periodically received position information;

cause the display of a graphical map;

cause the display, on said graphical map, of a graphical position icon indicating a position described by one of said periodically received position information;

cause the display of the time data associated with the position information describing the position indicated by said graphical position icon;

cause the display of a graphical calendar, said graphical calendar including a plurality of sequential time slot locations indicating different sequential periods of time;

record in said memory each communication activity of said communication interface;

associate time, data with each communication activity recorded; and

receive a time slot designation signal designating a time slot displayed on said graphical calendar; and

cause the display of a plurality of recorded communication activity, wherein each of said recorded communication activity occurred during the period of time specified by the designated time slot.

18. A machine-readable medium having a set of executable instructions for causing a processor to perform a method of displaying position information of a mobile communication device, said processor being operatively coupled to the mobile communication device, said mobile communication device including a machine-readable memory, a display, a GPS device, a communication interface, and a timing element, said method comprising the steps of:

periodically receiving position information of the mobile communication device using said GPS device, said position information describing a position of said mobile communication device;

associating each periodically received position information with a time data, said time data indicating a time at which each position information was received;

storing in said machine-readable memory the periodically received position information into said machine-readable memory;

displaying, on the display of the mobile communication device, a graphical map;

displaying on said graphical map a graphical position icon indicating a position described by one of said periodically received position information;

displaying the time data associated with the position information describing the position indicated by said graphical position icon;

recording in said machine-readable memory each communication activity of said communication interface;

associating time data with each communication activity recorded;

associating a received position information with each communication activity,

wherein said communication activity is one of a dialed telephone call, a missed telephone call, a received telephone call, an e-mail message reception or transmission, a voice mail recording, an instant text message reception or transmission, and a page reception or transmission.

23. The machine-readable medium of claim 18, 20, 21, or 22, wherein said method further comprises the steps of:

displaying at least one of said recorded communication activity;

displaying the time data associated to said recorded communication activity; and

displaying the position information associated to said recorded communication activity.

19. A machine-readable medium having a set of executable instructions for causing a processor to perform a method of displaying position information of a mobile communication device, said processor being operatively coupled to the mobile communication device, said mobile communication device including a machine-readable memory, a display, a UPS device, a communication interface, and a timing element, said method comprising the steps of:

periodically receiving position information of the mobile communication device using said UPS device, said position information describing a position of said mobile communication device;

associating each periodically received position information with a time data, said time data indicating a time at which each position information was received;

storing in said machine-readable memory the periodically received position information into said machine-readable memory;

displaying, on the display of the mobile communication device, a graphical map;

displaying on said graphical map a graphical position icon indicating a position described by one of said periodically received position information;

displaying the time data associated with the position information describing the position indicated by said graphical position icon;

recording in said machine-readable memory each communication activity of said communication interface;

associating time data with each communication activity recorded;

receiving a time range input signal indicating a period of time, said period of time defined by a starting time and an ending time; and

displaying on said graphical map a plurality of position history icons, each of said position history icon indicating a position described by one of said periodically received position information that were received during the period of time specified by the time range input signal

wherein said communication activity is one of a dialed telephone call, a missed telephone call, a received telephone call, an e-mail message reception or transmission, a voice mail recording, an instant text message reception or transmission, and a page reception or transmission.

20. A machine-readable medium having a set of executable instructions for causing a processor to perform a method of displaying position information of a mobile communication device, said processor being operatively coupled to the mobile communication device, said mobile communication device including a machine-readable memory, a display, a GPS device, a communication interface, and a timing element, said method comprising the steps of:

periodically receiving position information of the mobile communication device using said GPS device, said position information describing a position of said mobile communication device;

associating each periodically received position information with a time data, said time data indicating a time at which each position information was received;

storing in said machine-readable memory the periodically received position information into said machine-readable memory;

displaying, on the display of the mobile communication device, a graphical map;

displaying on said graphical map a graphical position icon indicating a position described by one of said periodically received position information;

displaying the time data associated with the position information describing the position indicated by said graphical position icon;

recording in said machine-readable memory each communication activity of said communication interface;

associating time data with each communication activity recorded;

displaying at least one recorded communication activity;

reproducing communication content data associated with the displayed recorded communication activity, wherein said communication content data is one of text data and sound data; and

associating a received position information with each communication activity.

22. A machine-readable medium having a set of executable instructions for causing a processor to perform a method of displaying position information of a mobile communication device, said processor being operatively coupled to the mobile communication device, said mobile communication device being operatively coupled to at least one machine-readable memory, a display, a GPS device, a communication interface, and a timing element, said method comprising the steps of:

periodically receiving position information of the mobile communication device using said GPS device, said position information describing a position of said mobile communication device;

associating each periodically received position information with a time data, said time data indicating a time at which each position information was received;

storing in said machine-readable memory the periodically received position information into said machine-readable memory;

displaying a graphical map;

displaying on said graphical map a graphical position icon indicating a position described by one of said periodically received position information;

displaying the time data associated with the position information describing the position indicated by said graphical position icon;

displaying a graphical calendar, said graphical calendar including a plurality of sequential time slot locations indicating different sequential periods of time; and

associating a retrieved position information with each communication activity.

27. The machine-readable medium of claim 5, 6, or 22 wherein the denomination of said sequential periods of time is one of year, month, week, day, hour, and minute.

24. A machine-readable medium having a set of executable instructions for causing a processor to perform a method of displaying position information of a mobile communication device, said processor being operatively coupled to the mobile communication device, said mobile communication device including a machine-readable memory, a display, a GPS device, a communication interface, and a timing element, said method comprising the steps of:

periodically receiving position information of the mobile communication device using said GPS device, said position information describing a position of said mobile communication device;

associating each periodically received position information with a time data, said time data indicating a time at which each position information was received;

storing in said machine-readable memory the periodically received position information into said machine-readable memory;

displaying, on the display of the mobile communication device, a graphical map;

displaying on said graphical map a graphical position icon indicating a position described by one of said periodically received position information;

displaying the time data associated with the position information describing the position indicated by said graphical position icon;

recording in said machine-readable memory each communication activity of said communication interface;

associating time data with each communication activity recorded;

displaying at least one recorded communication activity;

reproducing communication content data associated with the displayed recorded communication activity, wherein said communication content data is one of text data and sound data;

receiving a time range input signal indicating a period of time, said period of time defined by a starting time and an ending time; and

displaying on said graphical map a plurality of position history icons, each of said position history icon indicating a position described by one of said periodically received position information that were received during the period of time specified by the time range input signal.

26. A machine-readable medium having a set of executable instructions for causing a processor to perform a method of displaying position information of a mobile communication device, said processor being operatively coupled to the mobile communication device, said mobile communication device being operatively coupled to at least one machine-readable memory, a display, a GPS device, a communication interface, and a timing element, said method comprising the steps of:

periodically receiving position information of the mobile communication device using said GPS device, said position information describing a position of said mobile communication device;

associating each periodically received position information with a time data, said time data indicating a time at which each position information was received;

storing in said machine-readable memory the periodically received position information into said machine-readable memory;

displaying a graphical map;

displaying on said graphical map a graphical position icon indicating a position described by one of said periodically received position information;

displaying the time data associated with the position information describing the position indicated by said graphical position icon;

displaying a graphical calendar, said graphical calendar including a plurality of sequential time slot locations indicating different sequential periods of time;

receiving a time range input signal indicating a period of time, said period of time defined by a starting time and an ending time; and

displaying on said graphical map a plurality of position history icons, each of said position history icon indicating a position described by one of said periodically received position information that were received during the period of time specified by the time range input signal.

30. A machine-readable medium having a set of executable instructions for causing a processor to perform a method of displaying position information of a mobile communication device, said processor being operatively coupled to the mobile communication device, said mobile communication device including a machine-readable memory, a display, a GPS device, a communication interface, and a timing element, said method comprising the steps of:

periodically receiving position information of the mobile communication device using said GPS device, said position information describing a position of said mobile communication device;

associating each periodically received position information with a time data, said time data indicating a time at which each position information was received;

storing in said machine-readable memory the periodically received position information into said machine-readable memory;

displaying, on the display of the mobile communication device, a graphical map;

displaying on said graphical map a graphical position icon indicating a position described by one of said periodically received position information;

displaying the time data associated with the position information describing the position indicated by said graphical position icon;

recording in said machine-readable memory each communication activity of said communication interface;

associating time data with each communication activity recorded;

displaying at least one recorded communication activity;

reproducing communication content data associated with the displayed recorded communication activity, wherein said communication content data is one of text data and sound data; and

periodically reading data stored on said machine-readable memory and writing the read data to a second machine-readable memory, said second machine-readable memory being periodically operatively coupled to said mobile communication device.