Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090119009 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DISPLAYING ADDRESS INFORMATION ON A MAP - A method of displaying a map on a wireless communications device includes steps of determining a current position of the wireless communications device, determining address information corresponding to the current position of the wireless communications device, and presenting the address information to a user of the device. The address information can be displayed onscreen as a pair of odd and even numbers representing the street addresses on each side of the street at the current position of the device. The street addresses can be determined by interpolating the address from an address range for the path segment along which the device is traveling. Alternatively, where specific addresses have been stored in association with coordinates, the closest address can be determined. This technology facilitates navigation by presenting street numbers corresponding to the real-time position of the device. | 05-07-2009 |
20090125228 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING DYNAMIC ROUTE INFORMATION TO USERS OF WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS DEVICES - Dynamically updated route information is provided to a user of a wireless communications device. The method involves receiving a destination location, determining a current location of the device, generating a route from the current location of the device to the destination location, and providing route information to the user representing the route from the current location to the destination location. Dynamic updating can be achieved by updating the current location of the device and dynamically updating the route information based on an updated current location of the device so as to provide dynamic route information to the user. | 05-14-2009 |
20090181650 | DYNAMIC PRIORITIZATION OF LABEL DOWNLOADS - Map labels are dynamically downloaded to a wireless communication device for efficiently labelling a map displayed on the device. A method of dynamically downloading map labels to a wireless communications device includes steps of determining a size of label data for an area of interest and dynamically downloading the label data for the area of interest based on the size of the label data. Optionally, map labels can be dynamically downloaded based on a label prioritization scheme that takes into account the current position of the device. Optionally, the size of the label data can be determined from a map data index. | 07-16-2009 |
20090182500 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DYNAMICALLY DOWNLOADING AND DISPLAYING MAP DATA - Dynamically downloading map data to a wireless communications device is achieved by determining a map data density for an area of interest and then dynamically downloading and optionally also dynamically displaying the map data for the area of interest based on the map data density. For areas of interest with low map data density, this technology has the effect of downloading more map data so that the map is displayed with more detail than would conventionally be obtained. Conversely, for areas of interest with excessively high map data density, dynamic downloading and display can reduce the onscreen map density for a less crowded map. | 07-16-2009 |
20100082235 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF PATH POINT REDUCTION - A method of reducing waypoints representing a path defined along a route between two endpoints. The route includes a set of critical points including the endpoints and any decision points of the route intermediate the two endpoints. One or more waypoints of the path that are distal each critical point are eliminated, while retaining waypoints that are proximal each critical point. This enables the computation of a reduced waypoint path which provides accurate route-following in the vicinity of each critical point of the route. | 04-01-2010 |
20100211916 | NAVIGATION OF AN N-DIMENSIONAL HIERARCHICAL STRUCTURE USING A 2-DIMENSIONAL CONTROLLER - A system and method for navigating a multi-hierarchical menu system using a two-dimensional controller, comprising displaying an N | 08-19-2010 |
20100269108 | Methods And Apparatus For Providing Map Locations In User Applications Using URL Strings - A method in a computer device for use in displaying a map is described. The computer device includes a memory for storing a mapping application and a user interface having a display. A selection of a hypertext link object in an electronic file or message is received through the user interface. The hypertext link object is associated with a uniform resource locator (URL) string comprising a server address and location data corresponding to a location. In response to receiving the selection of the hypertext link object, a mapping function of the mapping application is invoked via a URL hook instead of displaying a map of the location based on map data received in response to a request to a server identified by the server address. The mapping function is invoked for rendering, in the display, a map of the location based on alternative map data received in response to a request to a mapping server. Advantageously, processing of the received hypertext link mapping indicator is handled differently depending on the type of device or whether a predetermined mapping application is installed in the device, so that optimal mapping functionality is provided for different device environments. | 10-21-2010 |
20100277367 | METHOD AND DEVICE TO DETERMINE OUT OF COVERAGE FOR MOBILE DEVICES - A method and a mobile device configured to obtain position information from a position broadcast system, the position broadcast system comprising a plurality of transmitters that each broadcast a respective signal containing position information for the respective transmitter. The method comprising: measuring signal strengths of signals from a plurality of the transmitters of the position broadcast system; and determining that the mobile device is out of range of the position broadcast system if the measured signals strengths satisfy at least one out of range criterion. | 11-04-2010 |
20100279710 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR LOCATION NOTIFICATION USING LOCATION CONTEXT INFORMATION - Provided is a method and apparatus for location notification using location context information. In accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure, a mobile device automatically generates location context information that indicates a point of interest in a vicinity of the mobile device. For example, if the user of the mobile device is at home, then the location context information indicates that the user is at home instead of merely indicating latitude/longitude information corresponding to the location of the home. The mobile device displays the location context information in order to convey the location of the mobile device in a manner that is meaningful without the need for a map. Alternatively, or additionally, the mobile device provides the location context information to at least one other device. This serves to inform other users of the location of the mobile device in a manner that is meaningful without the need for a map. | 11-04-2010 |
20100279712 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR LOCATION TRACKING NOTIFICATION - Systems and methods for location tracking notification are provided. Location sharing involves a mobile device sending location information to another device. This can allow another device to track the geographic location of the mobile device. Even though permissions can restrict access of the location information to only authorised users, the user of the mobile device might nonetheless wish to be informed of when another user is tracking their location. In accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure, if the location of the mobile device is being tracked, then the mobile device executes a user notification indicating that the location of the mobile device is being tracked. This can inform the user that their location is being tracked. | 11-04-2010 |
20100279713 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR LOCATION SHARING AS A FUNCTION OF TIME AND LOCATION - Provided is a method and apparatus for location sharing as a function of time and location. Privacy can be a concern when providing location information. Existing rules for location sharing are typically limited to either allowing or not allowing a user to obtain location information. In accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure, location sharing for a mobile device can be limited based on time and location of the mobile device. For example, location information of the mobile device might be provided to another device only during regular business hours when the mobile device is in a vicinity of an office site. Thus, the mobile device does not share its location information with the other device outside of business hours or when the mobile device is not in the vicinity of the office site. | 11-04-2010 |
20100281057 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR LINKING AN ADDRESS - A method and a mobile device comprising an address linking module assess a segment of text as comprising an address and create a link. The method comprises: searching a text for a segment of text having at least two character strings satisfying a proximity constraint, each character string being of a different predefined address indicator type; assessing whether or not the segment comprises an address; displaying at least a portion of the text comprising the segment on a display of a mobile device; and if the segment is assessed as comprising an address, including a link for display, the link pointing to at least one application. | 11-04-2010 |
20110167392 | Methods And Apparatus For Retrieving And Displaying Map-Related Data For Visually Displayed Maps Of Mobile Communication Devices - A cellular telephony device operatives to receive map data via a cellular network map data, and causes a region of a map having one or more selectable map elements to be displayed in a display in accordance with the map data. The cellular telephony device then causes selectable map element information to be displayed in the display in response to detecting a selection of one of the selectable map elements. In response to detecting a selection of the selectable map element information, the cellular telephony device sends, to a private network file server via the cellular network, a request for an electronic file document associated with the selectable map element information. The cellular telephony device then receives, via the cellular network, the file contents information corresponding to the request for the electronic file document, and causes at least a portion of the electronic file document to be displayed in the display. | 07-07-2011 |
20110237279 | Methods And Apparatus For Providing Map Locations In User Applications Using URL Strings - Techniques for use in a wireless communication device for displaying a map are described. The wireless device receives via a user interface a selection of a hypertext link object in an electronic file or message. The hypertext link object is associated with a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) string which includes a server address and location data corresponding to a location. When a mapping application is installed in the wireless device, the wireless device executes the mapping application for rendering a map of the location indicated in the URL string in response to receiving the selection of the hypertext link object. When the mapping application is not installed in the wireless communication device, the wireless device executes a web browser of the wireless communication device for receiving and displaying a map image of the location indicated in the URL string in response to receiving the selection of the hypertext link object. | 09-29-2011 |
20120032845 | METHOD AND DEVICE TO DETERMINE OUT OF COVERAGE FOR MOBILE DEVICES - A method and a mobile device configured to obtain position information from a position broadcast system, the position broadcast system comprising a plurality of transmitters that each broadcast a respective signal containing position information for the respective transmitter. The method comprising: measuring signal strengths of signals from a plurality of the transmitters of the position broadcast system; and determining that the mobile device is out of range of the position broadcast system if the measured signals strengths satisfy at least one out of range criterion. | 02-09-2012 |
20120149401 | Methods And Apparatus For Associating Mapping Functionality And Information In Contact Lists Of Mobile Communication Devices - A mobile communication device stores a contact list which includes a plurality of contacts, and identifies a user selection to map a location of a selected contact. In response, the device reads an address from an address field of the selected contact, sends to an address geocoding server the address with a request for latitude and longitude coordinates, and receives from the address geocoding server the coordinates. When map rendering data corresponding to the coordinates is cached in memory, the device renders a map based on the map rendering data. Otherwise, the device sends to a map server the coordinates with a request for context-filtered map data, which is based at least in part on a user context independent of the location of the device. The device receives the context-filtered map data, and renders a map based on the received context-filtered map data. | 06-14-2012 |
20120151414 | RESTRICTED USER INTERFACE NAVIGATION - A method and system that permits a user to navigate or browse a long list on a handheld device with a restricted user interface, such as a limited display and a limited user input device. The user first uses a coarse search to find a generally desired area in the list. The user then uses finer and finer search intervals in the vicinity of the desired area, until the desired entry is located. | 06-14-2012 |
20120204089 | Methods And Apparatus For Providing Map Locations In User Applications Using URL Strings - Techniques for use in a wireless communication device for displaying a map are described. The device receives via a user interface a selection of a hypertext link object in an electronic file or message. The object is associated with a URL string which includes a server address and location data corresponding to a location. When a mapping application is installed in the device, the device executes the mapping application for rendering a map of the location in response to receiving the selection of the object. When the mapping application is not installed in the device, the device executes a web browser of the device for receiving and displaying a map image of the location in response to receiving the selection of the object. | 08-09-2012 |
20120289259 | Methods And Apparatus For Associating Mapping Functionality And Information In Contact Lists Of Mobile Communication Devices - A technique to provide mapping functionality in an address book of a communication device involves displaying a menu list of functions associated with a contact entry of the address book, including a function to display on a map a location of an address listed in the contact entry; receiving an input request to display on a map the location; and displaying a map corresponding to the location, in a display of the communication device. | 11-15-2012 |
20130275040 | System and Method For Displaying Address Information On A Map - A method of displaying a map on a wireless communications device includes determining position information of a position on the map, displaying a graphical position indicator representing the position on the map, determining address information corresponding to the position on the map, and presenting the address information via a user interface of the device by displaying a street number on the map adjacent to the graphical position indicator. | 10-17-2013 |
20140094190 | Method And Apparatus For Reducing Transmission Of Location Information - Provided is a method and apparatus for reducing transmission of location information when tracking the geographic location of one or more mobile devices. A mobile device generates location information using GPS technology and provides the location information to a communication device on an ongoing basis. In a first embodiment, if the location information of the mobile device is not needed, then the communication device transmits a message indicating that the location information of the mobile device is not needed. Upon receiving the message, the mobile device stops providing location information to the communication device on the ongoing basis. This can reduce the amount of information that gets transferred over the air between users sharing their location information. | 04-03-2014 |
20140207372 | System and Method For Displaying Address Information On A Map - A method of displaying a map on a device includes determining position information of a position on the map, displaying a graphical position indicator representing the position on the map, determining address information corresponding to the position on the map, and presenting the address information via a user interface of the device by displaying a street number on the map adjacent to the graphical position indicator. | 07-24-2014 |
20140325325 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR LINKING AN ADDRESS - A method and a mobile device comprising an address linking module assess a segment of text as comprising an address and create a link. The method comprises: searching a text for a segment of text having at least two character strings satisfying a proximity constraint, each character string being of a different predefined address indicator type; assessing whether or not the segment comprises an address; displaying at least a portion of the text comprising the segment on a display of a mobile device; and if the segment is assessed as comprising an address, including a link for display, the link pointing to at least one application. | 10-30-2014 |
20140329549 | DYNAMIC PRIORITIZATION OF LABEL DOWNLOADS - Map labels are dynamically downloaded to a wireless communication device for efficiently labelling a map displayed on the device. A method of dynamically downloading map labels to a wireless communications device includes steps of determining a size of label data for an area of interest and dynamically downloading the label data for the area of interest based on the size of the label data. Optionally, map labels can be dynamically downloaded based on a label prioritization scheme that takes into account the current position of the device. Optionally, the size of the label data can be determined from a map data index. | 11-06-2014 |
20140331115 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING MAP LOCATIONS IN USER APPLICATIONS USING URL STRINGS - Techniques for use in a wireless communication device for displaying a map are described. The device receives via a user interface a selection of a hypertext link object in an electronic file or message. The object is associated with a URL string which includes a server address and location data corresponding to a location. When a mapping application is installed in the device, the device executes the mapping application for rendering a map of the location in response to receiving the selection of the object. When the mapping application is not installed in the device, the device executes a web browser of the device for receiving and displaying a map image of the location in response to receiving the selection of the object. | 11-06-2014 |
20140372950 | RESTRICTED USER INTERFACE NAVIGATION - A method and system that permits a user to navigate or browse a long list on a handheld device with a restricted user interface, such as a limited display and a limited user input device. The user first uses a coarse search to find a generally desired area in the list. The user then uses finer and finer search intervals in the vicinity of the desired area, until the desired entry is located. | 12-18-2014 |
20140378163 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR LOCATION TRACKING NOTIFICATION - Systems and methods for location tracking notification are provided. Location sharing involves a mobile device sending location information to another device. This can allow another device to track the geographic location of the mobile device. Even though permissions can restrict access of the location information to only authorised users, the user of the mobile device might nonetheless wish to be informed of when another user is tracking their location. In accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure, if the location of the mobile device is being tracked, then the mobile device executes a user notification indicating that the location of the mobile device is being tracked. This can inform the user that their location is being tracked. | 12-25-2014 |