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

• US 7,913,179 B2
• Filed: 08/02/2007
• Issued: 03/22/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: TeleCommunication Systems Inc (Comtech Telecommunications Corporation)
• Original Assignee: TeleCommunication Systems Inc (Comtech Telecommunications Corporation)
• Inventors: Petilli, Stephen, Sheha, Angie, Sheha, Michael A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hailu, Tadeese
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ulrich, Nicholas S
• Application Number:
  US11/888,992
• Publication Number:
  US 20080036778A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,328 Days
• Field of Search: 715/769, 701/210, 701/202, 701/201, 701/211
• US Class Current: 715/769
• 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 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 comprising:

displaying a first user graphical icon representing a first user device;

displaying a second user graphical icon representing a second user device;

retrieving first user location information associated with a location of said first user device; and

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

2. The 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 according to claim 1, wherein said first user location information is retrieved from said data storage medium.

3. The 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 according to claim 1, wherein said executable instructions further comprise:

requesting permission from said first user device to retrieve said first user location information.

4. The 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 according to claim 1, wherein said executable instructions further comprise:

requesting permission from said first user device to send said first user location information to said second user device.

5. The 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 according to claim 1, wherein said executable instructions further comprise:

retrieving second user location information associated with a location of said second user device; and

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

6. The 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 according to claim 5, wherein said second user location information is retrieved from said data storage medium.

7. The 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 according to claim 5, wherein said executable instructions further comprise:

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

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

8. The 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 according to claim 7, wherein said executable instructions further comprise:

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

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

9. 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 executing instructions comprising:

displaying a first user graphical icon representing a first user device;

displaying a second user graphical icon representing a second user device;

retrieving first user location information associated with a location of said first user device; and

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

10. The 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 executing instructions according to claim 9, wherein said first user location information is retrieved from said data storage medium.

11. The 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 executing instructions according to claim 9, further comprising:

requesting permission from said first user device to retrieve said first user location information.

12. The 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 executing instructions according to claim 9, further comprising:

requesting permission from said first user to send said first user location information to said second user device.

13. The 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 executing instructions according to claim 9, further comprising:

retrieving second user location information associated with a location of said second user device; and

displaying a graphical representation of a route connecting said location of said first user device and said location of said second user device.

14. The 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 executing instructions according to claim 13, further comprising:

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

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

15. The 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 executing instructions according to claim 14, further comprising:

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

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

16. 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, comprising:

displaying a first user graphical icon representing a first user device;

displaying a second user graphical icon representing a second user device;

retrieving first user location information associated with a location of said first user device; and

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

17. The 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 according to claim 16, wherein said first user location information is retrieved from said data storage medium.

18. The 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 according to claim 16, further comprising:

requesting permission from said first user to retrieve said first user location information.

19. The 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 according to claim 16, further comprising:

requesting permission from said first user device to send said first user location information to said second user device.

20. The 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 according to claim 16, further comprising:

retrieving second user location information associated with a location of said second user device; and

displaying a graphical representation of a route connecting said location of said first user device and said location of said second user device.

21. The 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 according to claim 20, wherein said second user location information is retrieved from said data storage medium.

22. The 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 according to claim 20, further comprising:

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

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

23. The 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 according to claim 22, further comprising:

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

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

24. A computer-readable medium for use in a communication device having a processor, a data storage medium, a display device, and a graphical touch screen input interface for selecting and moving graphical objects displayed on the display, said computer-readable medium including executable instructions comprising:

displaying a first user graphical icon representing a first user device;

displaying a second user graphical icon representing a second user device;

retrieving first user location information associated with a location of said first user device; and

in response to a command signal generated by said first user device using a graphical touch screen input interface to select and move said first user graphical icon towards said second user graphical icon, sending said first user location information to said second user device.

25. The computer-readable medium for use in a communication device having a processor, a data storage medium, a display device, and a graphical touch screen input interface for selecting and moving graphical objects displayed on the display according to claim 24, further comprising:

retrieving said first user location information from said data storage medium.

26. The computer-readable medium for use in a communication device having a processor, a data storage medium, a display device, and a graphical touch screen input interface for selecting and moving graphical objects displayed on the display according to claim 24, further comprising:

requesting permission from said first user device to retrieve said first user location information.

27. The computer-readable medium for use in a communication device having a processor, a data storage medium, a display device, and a graphical touch screen input interface for selecting and moving graphical objects displayed on the display according to claim 24, further comprising:

requesting permission from the said user to send said first user location information to said second user device.

28. The computer-readable medium for use in a communication device having a processor, a data storage medium, a display device, and a graphical touch screen input interface for selecting and moving graphical objects displayed on the display according to claim 24, further comprising:

retrieving second user location information associated with a location of said second user; and

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

29. The computer-readable medium for use in a communication device having a processor, a data storage medium, a display device, and a graphical touch screen input interface for selecting and moving graphical objects displayed on the display according to claim 27, wherein said second user location information is retrieved from said data storage medium.

30. The computer-readable medium for use in a communication device having a processor, a data storage medium, a display device, and a graphical touch screen input interface for selecting and moving graphical objects displayed on the display according to claim 27, further comprising:

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

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

31. The computer-readable medium for use in a communication device having a processor, a data storage medium, a display device, and a graphical touch screen input interface for selecting and moving graphical objects displayed on the display according to claim 29, further comprising:

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

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

33. The communication device having a data storage medium, a display device, and a graphical touch screen input interface for selecting and moving graphical objects displayed on the display, a programmed processor for executing instructions according to claim 31, wherein said first user location information is retrieved from said data storage medium.

34. The communication device having a data storage medium, a display device, and a graphical touch screen input interface for selecting and moving graphical objects displayed on the display, a programmed processor for executing instructions according to claim 31, further comprising:

requesting permission from said first user device to retrieve said first user location information.

35. The communication device having a data storage medium, a display device, and a graphical touch screen input interface for selecting and moving graphical objects displayed on the display, a programmed processor for executing instructions according to claim 31, further comprising:

requesting permission from said first user device to send said first user location information to said second user device.

36. The communication device having a data storage medium, a display device, and a graphical touch screen input interface for selecting and moving graphical objects displayed on the display, a programmed processor for executing instructions according to claim 31, further comprising:

retrieving second user location information associated with a location of said second user; and

displaying a graphical representation of a route connecting said location of said first user device and said location of said second user.

37. The communication device having a data storage medium, a display device, and a graphical touch screen input interface for selecting and moving graphical objects displayed on the display, a programmed processor for executing instructions according to claim 35, further comprising:

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

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

38. The communication device having a data storage medium, a display device, and a graphical touch screen input interface for selecting and moving graphical objects displayed on the display, a programmed processor for executing instructions according to claim 36, further comprising:

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

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

40. The method for sending location information using a communication device having a processor, a data storage medium, a display device, and a graphical touch screen input interface for selecting and moving graphical objects displayed on the graphical interface according to claim 38, wherein said first user location information is retrieved from said data storage medium.

41. The method for sending location information using a communication device having a processor, a data storage medium, a display device, and a graphical touch screen input interface for selecting and moving graphical objects displayed on the graphical interface according to claim 38, further comprising:

requesting permission from said first user device to retrieve said first user location information.

42. The method for sending location information using a communication device having a processor, a data storage medium, a display device, and a graphical touch screen input interface for selecting and moving graphical objects displayed on the graphical interface according to claim 38, further comprising:

requesting permission from said first user device to send to said second user device said first user location information.

43. The method for sending location information using a communication device having a processor, a data storage medium, a display device, and a graphical touch screen input interface for selecting and moving graphical objects displayed on the graphical interface according to claim 38, further comprising:

retrieving second user location information associated with a location of said second user device; and

displaying a graphical representation of a route connecting said location of said first user device and said location of said second user device.

44. The method for sending location information using a communication device having a processor, a data storage medium, a display device, and a graphical touch screen input interface for selecting and moving graphical objects displayed on the graphical interface according to claim 42, wherein said second user location information is retrieved from said data storage medium.

45. The method for sending location information using a communication device having a processor, a data storage medium, a display device, and a graphical touch screen input interface for selecting and moving graphical objects displayed on the graphical interface according to claim 42, further comprising:

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

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

46. The method for sending location information using a communication device having a processor, a data storage medium, a display device, and a graphical touch screen input interface for selecting and moving graphical objects displayed on the graphical interface according to claim 42, further comprising:

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

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

32. A communication device having a data storage medium, a display device, and a graphical touch screen input interface for selecting and moving graphical objects displayed on the display, a programmed processor for executing instructions comprising:

displaying a first user graphical icon representing a first user device;

displaying a second user graphical icon representing a second user device;

retrieving first user location information associated with a location of said first user device; and

in response to a command signal generated by said first user device using a graphical touch screen input interface to select and move said first user graphical icon towards said second user graphical icon, sending said first user location information to said second user device.

39. A method for sending location information using a communication device having a processor, a data storage medium, a display device, and a graphical touch screen input interface for selecting and moving graphical objects displayed on the graphical interface, comprising:

displaying a first user graphical icon representing a first user device;

displaying a second user graphical icon representing a second user device;

retrieving first user location information associated with a location of said first user device; and

in response to a command signal generated by said first user device using a graphical touch screen input interface to select and move said first user graphical icon towards said second user graphical icon, sending said first user location information to said second user device.

47. A method of communicating location information, comprising:

displaying a first user graphical icon representing a first user device;

displaying a second user graphical icon representing a second user device;

retrieving first user location information associated with a location of said first user device; and

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

48. The method of communicating location information according to claim 47, further comprising:

requesting permission from said first user device to retrieve said first user location information.

49. The method of communicating location information according to claim 47, further comprising:

requesting permission from said first user device to send said first user location information to said second user device.

50. The method of communicating location information according to claim 47, further comprising:

retrieving second user location information associated with a location of said second user device; and

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

51. A method of communicating location information, comprising:

displaying a first user graphical icon representing a first user device;

displaying a second user graphical icon representing a second user device;

retrieving first user location information associated with a location of said first user device; and

in response to a command signal generated by said first user device using a graphical touch screen input interface to select and move said first user graphical icon towards said second user graphical icon, sending said first user location information to said second user device.

52. The method of communicating location information according to claim 51, further comprising:

requesting permission from said first user device to retrieve said first user location information.

53. The method of communicating location information according to claim 51, further comprising:

requesting permission from said first user device to send said first user location information to said second user device.

54. The method of communicating location information according to claim 51, further comprising:

retrieving second user location information associated with a location of said second user device; and

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