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

• US 8,621,374 B2
• Filed: 03/15/2011
• Issued: 12/31/2013
• 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, Michael A., Sheha, Angie
• Primary Examiner(s): ULRICH, NICHOLAS S
• Application Number:
  US13/064,267
• Publication Number:
  US 20110167371A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,022 Days
• Field of Search: 701/453, 701/451
• 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 method of communicating location information, comprising:

formulating routing information on a first user device;

wherein said routing information comprises an origin and at least one destination;

displaying a graphical representation of said routing information on a map;

displaying a user graphical icon associated with a remote second user device;

initiating a drag-and-drop feature for said graphical representation of said routing information; and

sending said routing information to said remote second user device in response to a command signal generated by said first user device using a graphical touch screen input interface to drag-and-drop said graphical representation of said routing information over said user graphical icon.

2. The method of communicating location information according to claim 1, wherein:

said command signal triggers transmission of a text message being transmitted to said remote second user device, said text message providing an option to accept said routing information.

3. The method of communicating location information according to claim 2, wherein:

said text message is an instant message (IM).

4. The method of communicating location information according to claim 1, wherein:

said routing information is communicated via a real-time communication system.

5. The method of communicating location information according to claim 1, wherein:

said routing information is pre-calculated.

6. The method of communicating location information according to claim 1, wherein:

said routing information includes a plurality of destinations.

7. The method of communicating location information according to claim 1, wherein:

said command signal triggers transmission of said routing information to a plurality of user devices specified by a roster list of users.

8. The method of communicating location information according to claim 1, wherein:

said command signal triggers a graphical highlight of said user graphical icon.

9. The method of communicating location information according to claim 1, further comprising:

providing a menu option to send said routing information to said remote second user device.