Systems and methods for printing maps and directions

• US 9,129,207 B2
• Filed: 04/14/2014
• Issued: 09/08/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Moore, Bradford A., Blumenberg, Christopher, van Os, Marcel, Dul, Albert P., Jon, Tiffany
• Primary Examiner(s): Tarcza, Thomas
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dunn, Alex C
• Application Number:
  US14/252,692
• Publication Number:
  US 20140313525A1
• Time in Patent Office: 512 Days
• Field of Search: 701/533
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3676 Overview of the route on the road map
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3881 Tile-based structures
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3889 Transmission of selected map data, e.g. depending on route
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3896 Transmission of map data from central databases
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 15/1843 Changing size or raster resolution
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 29/007 using computer methods
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 29/106 using electronic means

Abstract

This is directed to systems, methods, and computer-readable media for printing maps and directions. In response to receiving an instruction to print directions, a device can define a layout optimized to show the route to travel, along with distinct steps that correspond to the route. The layout can include a map overview showing the entire route, with callouts identifying each step on the route. The layout can also include listings of individual steps, where each listing includes a reference number referring back to a callout and a description of the step. Each listings can also include a map tile showing a detailed view of the step corresponding to the listing. The map overview and the listings can be disposed, for example, in different columns of a landscape view.

Claims

1. A method for printing a map, the method comprising:

receiving a map for printing;

identifying a scale for the map;

defining a printing layout for the map, wherein the printing layout comprises a discontinuous border around the map and a length of a segment of the discontinuous border indicates the scale of the map; and

outputting the defined printing layout to an electronic printer system,

wherein the receiving, identifying, defining, and outputting are performed by an electronic device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein defining the printing layout further comprises:

identifying a particular length corresponding to a particular distance on the map based on the scale of the map; and

defining the discontinuous border such that the length of the segment is the particular length.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the particular distance is displayed on the map.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein defining the printing layout further comprises:

determining a height and a width for the map; and

based on (i) the determined height and width and (ii) the scale for the map, determining the length of the segment.

5. A method for printing a map, the method comprising:

identifying a set of points of interest;

receiving a map for printing along with the set of points of interest;

defining a printing layout comprising;

a first region comprising the map showing a set of callouts, each callout in the set of callouts corresponding to a point of interest of the set of points of interest; and

a second region, adjacent to the first region, comprising a set of listings of the callouts, wherein each listing in the set of listings comprises a graphical representation and a textual description of the point of interest corresponding to the callout; and

outputting the defined printing layout to an electronic printer system,

wherein the identifying, receiving, defining, and outputting are performed by an electronic device.

6. The method of claim 5 further comprising:

disposing the first region on a left side of the layout; and

disposing the second region on a right side of the layout.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein each listing of the set of listings further comprises a number corresponding to a number displayed on each callout of the set of callouts.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein identifying the set of points of interest comprises:

receiving a search request from a user; and

identifying search results from the search request as the set of points of interest.

9. The method of claim 5 further comprising displaying a route from a start location to a destination.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein identifying the set of points of interest comprises:

identifying a set of characteristics of the route; and

based on the set of characteristics, identifying the set of points of interest.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the set of characteristics comprises an expected time of travel for the route.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the set of characteristics comprises a distance or duration of the route.

13. A non-transitory machine readable medium storing a program which when executed by a set of processing units of an electronic device initiates a printing system to print a map, the program comprising sets of instructions for:

identifying a set of points of interest;

receiving a map for printing along with the set of points of interest; and

defining a printing layout comprising;

a first region comprising the map showing a set of callouts, each callout in the set of callouts corresponding to a point of interest of the set of points of interest; and

a second region, adjacent to the first region, comprising a set of listings of the callouts, wherein each listing in the set of listings comprises a graphical representation and a textual description of the point of interest corresponding to the callout; and

outputting the defined printing layout to an electronic printer system.

14. The non-transitory machine readable medium of claim 13, wherein the program further comprises sets of instructions for:

disposing the first region on a left side of the layout; and

disposing the second region on a right side of the layout.

15. The non-transitory machine readable medium of claim 13, wherein each listing of the set of listings further comprises a number corresponding to a number displayed on each callout of the plurality of callouts.

16. The non-transitory machine readable medium of claim 13, wherein the set of instructions for identifying the set of points of interest comprises sets of instructions for:

receiving a search request from a user; and

identifying search results from the search request as the set of points of interest.

17. The non-transitory machine readable medium of claim 13, wherein the program further comprises a set of instructions for displaying a route from a start location to a destination.

18. The non-transitory machine readable medium of claim 17, wherein the set of instructions for identifying the set of points of interest comprises sets of instructions for:

identifying a set of characteristics of the route; and

based on the set of characteristics, identifying the set of points of interest.

19. The non-transitory machine readable medium of claim 18, wherein the set of characteristics comprises an expected time of travel for the route.

20. The non-transitory machine readable medium of claim 18, wherein the set of characteristics comprises a distance or duration of the route.