Patent ID: 7076505
Filing Date: 2006-07-11
Classification: G01C,G06F,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A method of operating a computer system to provide a graphical user interface with a linear map component, the method comprising the steps of: storing a database comprising a plurality of transportation segments; retrieving a data subset from said database and formatting said data subset into a linear format such that said transportation segments from said data subset which are contiguous segments, and which occur along a projected path of travel are formatted to be depicted in a substantially straight and collinear manner; displaying said data subset in said linear format; wherein said projected path of travel comprises said contiguous segments having an angle formed between the adjoining end portions that falls within a predetermined angle range; wherein said database further comprises transportation segment names associated with said transportation segments, and wherein the formatting step further comprises the formatting of said transportation segment names in said linear format, such that said transportation segment names are depicted in the proximity of said transportation segments to which they are associated; wherein the formatting step further comprises the formatting of transportation segment links associated with and depicted in proximity to said transportation segments in said linear format, and wherein said transportation segment links are user selectable elements that serve to initiate the retrieval, formatting, and display of an associated subset of data in said linear format; wherein said database further comprises a plurality of point of interest (POI) designators associated with said transportation segments, and wherein the formatting step further comprises the formatting of said POI designators in said linear format such that said POI designators are depicted in the proximity of said transportation segments to which they are associated; wherein said database further comprises a plurality of POI links associated with said POI designators, and wherein the formatting step further comprises the formatting of said POI links in said linear format such that said POI links are depicted in the proximity of said POI designators to which they are associated, and wherein said POI links are user selectable elements that serve to initiate the display of additional POI information.