Method and apparatus for providing a smart address finder

An approach is provided for parsing one or more communications to determine location details and to make those details available to one or more applications that can enable a user to determine how and when to get to a particular location. A parsing platform causes, at least in part, a parsing of one or more communications to determine one or more indicators of at least one location, wherein the one or more communications are associated with at least one application. The parsing platform causes a storage of the one or more indicators in at least one database based, at least in part, on the at least one application. The parsing platform further causes, at least in part, a granting of access to the at least one database to at least one other application for determining the at least one location based, at least in part, on the one or more indicators.

BACKGROUND

Service providers and device manufacturers (e.g., wireless, cellular, etc.) are continually challenged to deliver value and convenience to consumers by, for example, providing compelling network services. One area of interest has been the development of location-based services (e.g., mapping and/or navigation applications) that can provide users of mobile devices (e.g., a mobile or a tablet) with location information and/or route guidance between locations such as a home or office and a new restaurant, for example. A common way to inform or share details among users about an address or a location (e.g., of an appointment or an event) is to transmit the information via one or more communication types (e.g., email, short messaging service (SMS), voicemail, social networking services, etc.). However, when a user sends the information via email, for example, there is generally no easy way to display the location directly on a map (e.g., a mapping and/or navigation application). The task is further complicated when a user is limited to mobile device as opposed to a desktop personal computer (PC), for example. By way of example, a user may be required to manually input an address into the mapping and/or navigation application by copying and pasting the location details between applications. Accordingly, service providers and device manufacturers face significant technical challenges in providing a service that can parse one or more communications to determine location details and to make those details available to one or more applications that can enable a user to determine how and when to get to the location.

SOME EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Therefore, there is a need for an approach for parsing one or more communications to determine location details and to make those details available to one or more applications that can enable a user to determine how and when to get to a particular location.

According to one embodiment, a method comprises causing, at least in part, a parsing of one or more communications to determine one or more indicators of at least one location, wherein the one or more communications are associated with at least one application. The method also comprises causing, at least in part, a storage of the one or more indicators in at least one database based, at least in part, on the at least one application. The method further comprises causing, at least in part, a granting of access to the at least one database to at least one other application for determining the at least one location based, at least in part, on the one or more indicators.

According to another embodiment, an apparatus comprises at least one processor, and at least one memory including computer program code for one or more computer programs, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause, at least in part, the apparatus to cause, at least in part, a parsing of one or more communications to determine one or more indicators of at least one location, wherein the one or more communications are associated with at least one application. The apparatus also causes, at least in part, a storage of the one or more indicators in at least one database based, at least in part, on the at least one application. The apparatus further causes, at least in part, a granting of access to the at least one database to at least one other application for determining the at least one location based, at least in part, on the one or more indicators.

According to another embodiment, a computer-readable storage medium carries one or more sequences of one or more instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause, at least in part, an apparatus to cause, at least in part, a parsing of one or more communications to determine one or more indicators of at least one location, wherein the one or more communications are associated with at least one application. The apparatus also causes, at least in part, a storage of the one or more indicators in at least one database based, at least in part, on the at least one application. The apparatus further causes, at least in part, a granting of access to the at least one database to at least one other application for determining the at least one location based, at least in part, on the one or more indicators.

According to another embodiment, an apparatus comprises means for causing, at least in part, a parsing of one or more communications to determine one or more indicators of at least one location, wherein the one or more communications are associated with at least one application. The apparatus also comprises means for causing, at least in part, a storage of the one or more indicators in at least one database based, at least in part, on the at least one application. The apparatus further comprises means for causing, at least in part, a granting of access to the at least one database to at least one other application for determining the at least one location based, at least in part, on the one or more indicators.

For various example embodiments, the following is applicable: An apparatus comprising means for performing the method of any of originally filed claims.

DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

Examples of a method, apparatus, and computer program for parsing one or more communications to determine location details and to make those details available to one or more applications that can enable a user to determine how and when to get to a particular location are disclosed. In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the invention. It is apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details or with an equivalent arrangement. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 1is a diagram of a system capable of parsing one or more communications to determine location details and to make those details available to one or more applications that can enable a user to determine how and when to get to a particular location, according to one embodiment. As previously discussed, one area of interest among service providers and device manufacturers has been the development of location-based services (e.g., mapping and/or navigation applications) that can provide users of mobile devices with location information and/or route guidance between locations such as a home or office and a new restaurant, an apartment viewing, a birthday party, etc. A common way to inform or share details among users about an address or location is to transmit the information using one or more communication types (e.g., email, SMS, voicemail, social networking services, etc.). However, when someone sends the information via email or SMS, for example, there is generally no easy way to display the location on a map (e.g., a mapping and/or navigation application). The task is further complicated when a user is limited to a mobile device as opposed to a desktop PC, for example. By way of example, a user may be looking for a new apartment and is contacted by his or her real-estate agent via email regarding an upcoming appointment to see an apartment on a specific date and time (e.g., on Thursday May 23rdat 6:00 p.m. at Senefelder Strasse 7, Prenzlauer Berg). As a result, the user may open a mapping and/navigation application, for example, to copy and paste the address to understand where the appointment is located and how to get there. This process can easily take a few minutes and becomes more tedious when the user is limited to his or her mobile device as opposed to a desktop PC.

To address this problem, a system100ofFIG. 1introduces the capability to parse one or more communications to determine location details and to make those details available to one or more applications that can enable a user to determine how and when to get to a particular location. As shown inFIG. 1, the system100comprises one or more user equipment (UE)101a-101m(e.g., mobile phones, tablets, desktop PCs, etc.) (also collectively referred to as UEs101) having connectivity to a parsing platform103via a communication network105. The UEs101also include or have access to one or more applications107a-107m(also collectively referred to as applications107). By way of example, the applications107include a mapping and/or navigation application, an email application, a messaging application (e.g., SMS, multimedia messaging service (MMS), etc.), a voicemail application, social networking applications, an Internet browser, media applications, etc.

In one embodiment, the parsing platform103may include or be associated with at least one communications database109, which may exist in whole or in part within the parsing platform103. In one example embodiment, the parsing platform103may exist in whole or in part with within a UE101, or independently. The at least one communications database109may include one or more lists of locations, addresses, times, dates, senders, credentials (e.g., a username and/or a password), etc. In addition, the parsing platform103may include or have access to one or more point-of-interest (POI) databases and/or one or more other databases (e.g., an address book or a contacts list, a geo-coding database, etc.). Further, in one embodiment, the one or more lists may be organized within the at least one communications database109based, at least in part, on a location of the information within the one or more communications (e.g., a subject, a header, a message body, a footer, etc. of an email) as well as a status of the one or more communications (e.g., unread, read, and/or deleted, etc.). More specifically, in one embodiment, when one or more communications are read by a user, the one or more location details of the one or more communications may become public in the at least one communications database109.

The UEs101are also connected to a services platform111via the communication network105. In one embodiment, the services platform111includes one or more services113a-113n(also collectively referred to as services113). By way of example, the services113may include mapping and/or navigation services, transportation-related services (e.g., public transportation schedules and/or timetables), social networking services, etc. In one embodiment, the UEs101, the services platform111, and the services113also have connectivity to one or more content providers115a-115p(also collectively referred to as content providers115). The content providers115may provision a wide variety of content (e.g., maps, navigation routes, POI information, etc.) to the components of the system100.

In certain embodiments, the parsing platform103and/or the applications107(e.g., a mapping and/or navigation application) may utilize one or more location-based technologies (e.g., global positioning system (GPS), cellular triangulation, Assisted GPS (A-GPS), etc.) to make a request to one or more services113for location-based data (e.g., the GPS location of a UE101, mapping and/or navigation information, etc.) based on a position relative to the UE101. For example, a UE101may include a GPS receiver to obtain geographic coordinates from the satellites117to determine its current location. In one embodiment, wherein a UE101is a desktop PC, the parsing platform103can determine the location of the device based, at least in part, on its internet protocol (IP) address.

In one embodiment, the system100determines one or more credentials (e.g., a login and/or a password) associated with at least one application of a user (e.g., an email application, an SMS messaging application, a voicemail application, a social networking application, etc.). More specifically, the user grants the system100access to one or more communications associated with the at least one application and/or to one or more other databases associated with the user (e.g., an address book or a contacts list) to enable the system100to parse the one or more communications (e.g., emails).

In one embodiment, the system100causes, at least in part, a parsing of the one or more communications to determine one or more indicators of at least one location (e.g., an address of a birthday party). In one example use case, a communication (e.g., an email) may include the following message: “the birthday party will take place on Thursday 23rdof May at 6:00 p.m. in Senefelder Strasse 7, Prenzlauer Berg.” In one embodiment, the system100first causes, at least in part, a parsing of the communication to determine the address “Senefelder Strasse 7.” By way of example, the system100causes, at least in part, a parsing of the one or more communications based, at least in part, on determining one or more specific patterns within the one or more communications. For example, the system100can check for one or more key words in each language (e.g., street, strasse, calle, drive, avenue, road, etc.), a number coming before or after the key word, a comma separating the key word or number, a city, a postcode, a country, or any combination thereof following the number and/or key word.

In one or more embodiments, the system100determines whether the one or more indicators are unambiguous, ambiguous, a POI, a common location expression (e.g., “my home, “my place,” etc.), or a combination thereof based, at least in part, on at least one comparison of the one or more indicators against one or more entries in at least one database (e.g., the at least one communications database109), one or more other databases (e.g., a POI database, an address book or contacts list, a geo-coding database, etc.), or a combination thereof. By way of example, the system100can determine that an indicator is a street address based, at least in part, on a geo-coding database and that the street address is ambiguous (i.e., this street name is located in more than one city) based, at least in part, on the geo-coding database as well. In the example use case discussed above, the system100determines that the street address Senefelder Strasse 7 is ambiguous because it can be found in at least Berlin and Fredersdorf-Vogelsdorf as well as a number of other cities located throughout Germany.

In one embodiment, the system100causes, at least in part, a storage of the one or more indicators in at least one database (e.g., the communications database109) based, at least in part, on the at least one application (e.g., an email application). More specifically, if the system100determines that the address (e.g., Senefelder Strasse 7) is not ambiguous (i.e., not located in multiple cities, areas, etc.), then the system100can add the address to the at least one database and may then try to determine one or more contextual parameters associated with the at least one location (e.g., a date, a time, etc.). By way of example, the system100can cause, at least in part, the storage of the one or more indicators in the at least one database based, at least in part, on one or more communication types (e.g., email, SMS, voicemail, social networking services, etc.) and/or one or more service providers of the one or more types of communication. For example, in one example use case, the at least one database may include recent addresses determined from the following communications: Email A (2), Social Network B (3), Social Network C (0), SMS (1), and Voicemail (1). In addition, the one or more address may be based, at least in part, on one or more communications received during the last day, week, month, etc. and the system100can enable a user to configure the applicable time period.

In one or more embodiments, wherein the one or more indicators (e.g., an address) are ambiguous, the system100determines location information associated with at least one device associated with the one or more communications (i.e., the device receiving the one or more communications). For example, as previously discussed, the street address Senefelder Strasse 7 is located in at least two different cities (e.g., Berlin and Fredersdorf-Vogelsdorf). Consequently, the system100determines the location information associated with the at least one device (e.g., GPS coordinates of a mobile device or an IP address of a desktop PC). In the example use case discussed above, the system100determines that the at least one device (e.g., a mobile phone) is located in Berlin.

In one embodiment, the system100causes, at least in part, at least one comparison of the one or more indicators (e.g., an address) against the location information, the one or more other databases (e.g., a geo-coding database), or a combination thereof to determine whether the one or more indicators match the determined location information. For example, in the example use case discussed above, the system100determines that the at least one device is in Berlin and that Senefelder Strasse 7 matches an address in Berlin. Therefore, in one embodiment, the system100selects the address Senefelder Strasse 7, Berlin and causes, at least in part, a storage of the address in the at least one database (e.g., the communications database109). In one embodiment, if the system100determines that the one or more indicators do not match the location information, then the system100causes, at least in part, a storage of all resulting addresses in the at least one database. An illustrative example of the workflow for determining at least one location is depicted inFIG. 6.

In one embodiment, wherein the system100determines that the one or more indicators is a POI or a common location expression, the system100determines the at least one location based, at least in part, on the location information (e.g., GPS coordinates of a UE101), the one or more other databases (e.g., a POI database, a geo-coding database, an address book or contacts list, etc.), or a combination thereof. For example, in one example use case, the system100causes, at least in part, a parsing of the communication “Hey, we are meeting in Zoo Cafe at 7:00 p.m.” to determine that the communication includes a POI, Zoo Cafe, instead of an address. In one embodiment, the system100determines the location information (e.g., GPS coordinates) associated with the at least one device (e.g., a mobile phone) to reduce the scope of the comparison between the one or more indicators and the one or more other databases. In one embodiment, the system100then causes, at least in part, at least one comparison of the POI Zoo Cafe against at least one POI database to determine whether the POI is also located in Berlin. In one embodiment, if the system100determines that the POI is not located in Berlin, then the system100discontinues processing the one or more indicators. However, if the system100determines that the POI is also located in Berlin, then system100causes, at least in part, a storage of the address of the POI in the at least one database (e.g., the communications database109). An illustrative example of the workflow for determining a POI is depicted inFIG. 7.

In another example use case, the system100causes, at least in part, a parsing of the communication “Hey, we are meeting at my place at 7:00 p.m.” to determine that the communication includes a common location expression “my place” instead of an address. In one embodiment, the system100causes, at least in part, a parsing of the one or more communications to determine the sender of the particular communication and then causes, at least in part, a comparison of the sender against one or more entries in one or more other databases such as an address book or contacts list. In one embodiment, if the system100is unable to match the sender against the one or more entries, then the system100discontinues processing the one or more indicators. However, if the system100determines that the sender is among the one or more entries, then the system100attempts to determine at least one location for the sender. In this example use case, if the system100is unable to determine at least one location, then the system100discontinues processing the one or more indicators. However, if the system100determines at least one location for the sender, then the system100causes, at least in part, the storage of the location in the at least one database (i.e., the address of the sender's place). An illustrative example of the workflow for determining a common location expression is depicted inFIG. 8.

In one or more embodiments, wherein the at least one location or address is associated with at least one appointment or event (e.g., a birthday party, a dinner reservation, etc.), the system100causes, at least in part, a parsing of the one or more communications to determine at least one contextual parameter associated with the at least one appointment (e.g., a date, a time, a sender, etc.). For example, in one example use case, once the system100determines the one or more indicators of the at least one location (e.g., an address), then the system100can automatically determine at least one contextual parameter associated with the at least one appointment (assuming such parameters exist within the communication). More specifically, in the example use case discussed above, the contextual parameters of the communication would include “Thursday the 23rdof May” and “6:00 p.m.” Further, similar to parsing the one or more communications to determine the one or more indicators, the system100is able to cause, at least in part, a parsing of the one or more communications to determine one or more contextual parameters based, at least in part, on one or more patterns. For example, three (3) or four (4) numbers HHMM in the format HHMM, HH:MM, HH.MM, H.MM, H:MM, etc. and the numbers may also include related keywords (e.g., “o'clock,” “a.m.,” “p.m.,” etc.).

In one embodiment, the system100causes, at least in part, a granting of access to the at least one database to at least one other application (e.g., a mapping and/or navigation application, an SMS application, a social networking application, etc.) for determining the at least one location based, at least in part, on the one or more indicators. For example, the system100can cause, at least in part, a granting of access to a mapping and/or navigation application so that a user can visually determine, for example, how and when to get to a location contained within the one or more communications parsed by the system100.

In one or more embodiments, the system100causes, at least in part, a presentation of the at least one location via the at least one other application, wherein the presentation is based, at least in part, on the at least one application. For example, the system100may present the birthday party communication discussed above as “SenefelderPlatz 7, 6:00 p.m. Sent by name@mail.com 11thApril 3:38 p.m.” in connection with a mapping and/or navigation application. In one embodiment, a user can then click on a list item, for example, and the system100can cause, at least in part, the at least one other application (e.g., a mapping and/or navigation application) to center the address on a map of the relevant area. In one embodiment, in addition to centering the at least one location on the map of the relevant area, the system100can also cause, at least in part, a presentation of the communication containing the at least one location to assist the user to understand the context of the at least one location (e.g., an address of a birthday party, or a restaurant reservation, etc.). In one embodiment, the system100can determine the location information of the at least one device (e.g., GPS coordinates) and because the system100can determine the time of the party, the system100can present route guidance information from the location of the at least one device to the location of the birthday party, for example. In one embodiment, the system100can also present the route guidance information in connection with one or more transit methods that the user can select among (e.g., a car, a bus, a subway, etc.). In one example use case, the system100can provide additional route guidance information (e.g., when the user should leave to arrive to the birthday party on time) based, at least in part, on a bus schedule, for example. In one embodiment, if the system100determines that the one or more communications did not include a time (e.g., the time of the birthday party), then the system100can assume that the user may likely leave for the location now. In one embodiment, the system100can also enable a user to enter a time and/or location when and where the user wants to leave from for the birthday party as opposed to the current location of the at least one device.

In one embodiment, the system100can process and/or facilitate a processing of the one or more communications (e.g., one or more emails) to determine at least one status of the one or more communications (e.g., “read,” “unread,” and/or “deleted”), wherein the storage of the one or more indicators, the presentation of the one or more indicators, or a combination thereof is based, at least in part, on the status. More specifically, in one embodiment, the system100functions as a daemon, running in the background of the at least one device. Consequently, the system100can cause, at least in part, a parsing of the one or more communications in substantially real-time, periodically, according to a schedule, on demand, or a combination thereof. For example, the system100may “wake up” and process the one or more communications every minute. Therefore, the system100can cause, at least in part, a parsing of one or more communications (e.g., emails) that a user has not already read. In that case, the system100will still cause, at least in part, the storage of the one or more indicators based, at least in part, on the status of the one or more communications. Further, once the user reads the one or more unread communications, the system100can determine the change of status and the system100can make the one or more indicators available to the at least one other application (e.g., a mapping and/or navigation application).

In one embodiment, the system100can process and/or facilitate a processing of the one or more communications to determine at least one placement of the one or more indicators within the one or more communications, wherein the storage of the one or more indicators, the presentation of the at least one location, or a combination thereof is further based, at least in part, on the at least one placement. By way of example, once the system100determines an address, for example, one or more communications (e.g., an email), the system100can then determine where the address appeared in the email (e.g., the subject, the header, the message body, the footer, etc.). Thereafter, the system100can cause, at least in part, the storage of the one or more indicators along with its location in the at least one database (e.g., the communications database109).

FIG. 2is a diagram of the components of the parsing platform103, according to one embodiment. By way of example, the parsing platform103includes one or more components for parsing one or more communications to determine location details and to make those details available to one or more applications that can enable a user to determine how and when to get to a particular location. It is contemplated that the functions of these components may be combined in one or more components or performed by other components of equivalent functionality. In this embodiment, the parsing platform103includes a control logic201, a communication module203, a user interface (UI) module205, a parsing module207, an analyzer module209, a storage module211, a context module213, and a rendering module215.

In one embodiment, the control logic201oversees tasks, including tasks performed by the communication module203, the UI module205, the parsing module207, the analyzer module209, the storage module211, the context module213, and the rendering module215. For example, although the other modules may perform the actual task, the control logic201may determine when and how those tasks are performed or otherwise direct the other modules to perform the task. In one or more embodiments, the control logic201, in connection with the communication module203, causes, at least in part, a granting of access to the at least one database to at least one other application (e.g., a mapping and/or navigation application, an SMS messaging application, a social networking application, etc.) for determining the at least one location based, at least in part, on the one or more indicators.

The communication module203in certain embodiments is used for communication between the UEs101, the parsing platform103, the applications107, the at least one communications database109, the services platform111, the services113, the content providers115, and the satellites117. The communication module203may also be used to process and/or facilitate a processing of the one or more communications to determine at least one status of the one or more communications (e.g., read, unread, and/or deleted).

In one embodiment, UI module205is used to determine one or more credentials (e.g., a username and/or a password) associated with the at least one application. By way of example, the access of the system100to the contents of the one or more communications is granted by a user (e.g., granting the parsing platform103access to one or more social networking applications). In one embodiment, it is contemplated that the UI module205requests that the user permit access to the one or more communication channels (e.g., email, SMS, voicemail, social networking) and permit access to the user's address book and/or a contacts list.

The parsing module207is used in certain embodiments to cause, at least in part, a parsing of the one or more communications (e.g., email, SMS, voicemail, social networking posts, etc.) to determine one or more indicators (e.g., a street address, a point of interest, a common location expression) of at least one location. In particular, the parsing module parses the one or more communications based, at least in part, on one or more patterns within the one or more communications. For example, key words such as street, strasse, calle, drive, avenue, road, etc. preceded or followed by a number. Wherein the at least one location is associated with at least one appointment, the parsing module207may also be used to cause, at least in part, a parsing of the one or more communications to determine at least one contextual parameter associated with the at least one appointment (e.g., a date, a time, a sender, etc.). Again, the parsing module207parses the one or more communications based, at least in part, on one or more patterns within the one or more communications. For example, a pattern related to time may include three (3) or four (4) numbers HHMM in the format: HHMM, HH:MM, HH.MM, H.MM, H:MM, etc. In addition, a pattern related to time may also include one or more keywords such as “o'clock,” “a.m.,” “p.m.,” etc.

In one embodiment, the analyzer module209is used to determine whether the one or more indicators are unambiguous, ambiguous, a POI, a common location expression, or a combination thereof based, at least in part, on at least one comparison of the one or more indicators against one or more entries in the at least one database (e.g., the communications database109), the one or more other databases (e.g., a POI database, a geo-coding database, an address book or contacts list), or a combination thereof. For example, if the analyzer module209determines that a street address (e.g., Senefelder Strasse 7) is located in more than one city (e.g., Berlin and Fredersdorf-Vogelsdorf), then the analyzer module209can determine that the address is ambiguous. The analyzer module209may also be used to cause, at least in part, at least one comparison of the one or more indicators against the location information, the one or more other databases, or a combination thereof to determine whether the one or more indicators match the location information. By way of example, the analyzer module209can determine whether the determined address Senefelder Strasse 7 matches one or more GPS coordinates associated with a device (e.g., Berlin). Wherein the one or more indicators are a POI or a common location expression, the analyzer module209may also be used to determine the at least one location based, at least in part, on the location information, the one or more other databases, or a combination thereof. Further, the analyzer module209also may be used to process and/or facilitate a processing of the one or more communications to determine at least one placement of the one or more indicators within the one or more communications (e.g., within the subject, the header, the body, the footer, etc. of an email).

In one embodiment, the storage module211is used to manage the storage of the one or more lists of locations, addresses, times, dates, senders, credentials, etc. from the one or more parsed communications stored in the at least one communications database109. The storage module211may also be used to cause, at least in part, a storage of the one or more indicators in the at least one database based, at least in part, on at least one application (e.g., email, SMS, etc.), at least one status (e.g., read, unread, and/or deleted), at least one location (e.g., the subject, the header, the body, the footer, etc. of an email), or a combination thereof.

In one or more embodiments, the context module213, in connection with the communications module203, is used to determine location information associated with at least one device associated with the one or more communications (e.g., GPS coordinates of the device receiving the one or more communications). By way of example, if the at least one device is a mobile device (e.g., a mobile phone or a tablet), then the content module213can determine the location information based, at least in part, on one or more location-based technologies (e.g., GPS, cellular triangulation, A-GPS, etc.) and if the at least one device is a desktop PC, for example, then the context module213can determine the location information based, at least in part, on the IP address of the device.

In one embodiment, the rendering module215, in connection with the UI module205, is used to cause, at least in part, a presentation of the at least one location via the at least one other application (e.g., a mapping and/or navigation application). For example, in one example use case, when a user clicks on one or more of the address lists (e.g., SenefelderPlatz 7, 6:00 p.m. Sent by name@mail.com 11thApril 3:38 p.m.), the rendering module215centers the address on a mapping and/or navigation application, for example.

FIGS. 3-5are flowcharts of processes for parsing one or more communications to determine location details and to make those details available to one or more applications that can enable a user to determine how and when to get to a particular location, according to one embodiment. In one embodiment, the parsing module103performs the process300and is implemented in, for instance, a chip set including a processor and a memory as shown inFIG. 12. In step301, the parsing module103causes, at least in part, a parsing of one or more communications to determine one or more indicators of at least one location, wherein the one or more communications are associated with at least one application. By way of example, the at least one application can include an email application, a messaging application (e.g., SMS), a voicemail application, a social networking application, etc. and the one or more communications can include an email, a text, a voicemail message, a social networking post, etc. By way of further example, the one or more indicators can include, at least in part, an address, a POI, or a common location expression (e.g., “my house,” “my office,” etc.). In one example use case, the communication (e.g., an email) includes the following message: “the birthday party will take place on Thursday 23rdof May at 6:00 p.m. at Senefelder Strasse 7, Prenzlauer Berg.” Consequently, the parsing module103causes, at least in part, a parsing of the communication to determine the address “Senefelder Strasse 7.”

In step303, the parsing platform103causes, at least in part, a storage of the one or more indicators in at least one database based, at least in part, on the at least one application. By way of example, the storage of the one or more indicators is based, at least in part, on the type of application (e.g., an email application, a messaging application (e.g., SMS), a voicemail application, a social networking application, etc.) and/or the one or more services providers of the at least one application. Accordingly, in one example use case, the at least one database may include the following: Email A (2), Social Network A (3), Social Network B (0), SMS (1), and voicemail (1). In one embodiment, it is also contemplated that the span of the one or more communications may be user defined in terms of time (e.g., one or more communications received during the last day, week, month, etc.).

In step305, the parsing platform103causing, at least in part, a granting of access to the at least one database to at least one other application for determining the at least one location based, at least in part, on the one or more indicators. In one example use case, the at least one other application includes, at least in part, a mapping and/or navigation application, a messaging application (e.g., SMS), a social networking application, or a combination thereof. For example, the parsing platform103can cause, at least in part, a granting of access to a mapping and/or navigation application so that a user can visually see, for example, how and when to get to a location contained with the one or more communications parsed by the parsing platform103.

FIG. 4depicts a process400of determining at least one location (e.g., an address of a birthday party, a restaurant reservation, an event, etc.). In one embodiment, the parsing module103performs the process400and is implemented in, for instance, a chip set including a processor and a memory as shown inFIG. 12. In step401, the parsing platform103determines one or more credentials associated with the at least one application, wherein the parsing of the one or more communications is based, at least in part, on the one or more credentials. In one example use case, the one or more credentials include a login and a password associated with the at least one application. In particular, a user grants the parsing platform103access to one or more communications associated with the at least one application (e.g., an email application) and/or to one or more other databases associated with the user (e.g., an address book or a contacts list) to enable the parsing of the one or more communications by the parsing platform103.

In step403, the parsing platform103determines whether the one or more indicators are unambiguous, ambiguous, a point of interest, a common location expression, or a combination thereof based, at least in part, on at least one comparison of the one or more indicators against one or more entries in the at least one database, one or more other databases, or a combination thereof. By way of example, the one or more indicators are ambiguous if the indicator (e.g., an address) can be found in more than one place (e.g., two different cities). For example, in the example use case discussed above, the street address Senefelder Strasse 7 can be found in at least Berlin and Fredersdorf-Vogelsdorf as well as a number of other cities located throughout Germany. In one example use case, examples of a common location expression may include “my home,” “my place,” etc. In addition, in one example use case, the one or more other databases include, at least in part, a POI database, an address book or contacts list, a geo-coding database, etc.

In step405, the parsing platform103determines location information associated with at least one device associated with the one or more communications. By way of example, if the at least one device is a mobile device, then the parsing platform103can determine the location information based, at least in part, on one or more location-based technologies (e.g., GPS, cellular triangulation, A-GPS, etc.) and if the at least one device is a desktop PC, for example, then the parsing platform103can determine the location of the at least one device based on its IP address.

In step407, the parsing platform103causes, at least in part, at least one comparison of the one or more indicators against the location information, the one or more other databases, or a combination thereof to determine whether the one or more indicators match the location information, wherein the determining of the at least one location is further based, at least in part, on the at least one comparison. For example, in the example use case discussed above the one or more indicators included the address Senefelder Strasse 7. However, the parsing platform103determined that this address was ambiguous (i.e., located in more than one place). Therefore, in the previous step, the parsing platform103determined location information (i.e., Berlin) for the at least one device and determined that the at least one device is in Berlin. Accordingly, the parsing platform103compares Senefelder Strasse 7 against Berlin, the one or more other databases (e.g., a geo-coding database), or a combination thereof to determine whether the one or more indicators match the location information. Because Senefelder Strasse 7 matches the location information, the parsing platform103selects the matching result and causes, at least in part, a storage of the address in the at least one database (e.g., the communications database109).

In step409, wherein the one or more indicators are a point of interest or a common location expression, the parsing platform103determines the at least one location based, at least in part, on the location information, the one or more other databases, or a combination thereof. For example, if the parsing platform103determines that the at least one location is a POI without an address (e.g., Zoo Cafe), the parsing platform103first determines the location information associated with the device (e.g., Berlin) and then causes, at least in part, at least one comparison of Zoo Cafe against at least one POI database to determine whether the POI is also located in Berlin. In one embodiment, if the parsing platform103determines that Zoo Cafe is listed in a POI database, then it is contemplated that the POI database will also have an address or location for the Zoo Cafe, which the parsing platform103can then cause, at least in part, to be stored in the at least one database.

In another example use case, if the parsing platform103determines that the at least one location is a common location expression (e.g., “my place”), then parsing platform103can try to determine the sender of the one or more communications. In one embodiment, the parsing platform103first determines the sender of the one or more communications and then causes, at least in part, a comparison of the sender against one or more entries in one or more other databases (e.g., an address book or a contacts list). In one example use case, if the parsing platform103determines that the sender is among the one or more entries, then the parsing platform103attempts to determine a location for the sender. In one example use case, if the parsing platform103determines the location of the sender, then the parsing platform103causes, at least in part, the storage of the location (i.e., the location of the sender's place).

FIG. 5depicts a process500of causing, at least in part, a storage and/or a presentation of the at least one location. In one embodiment, the parsing module103performs the process500and is implemented in, for instance, a chip set including a processor and a memory as shown inFIG. 12. In step501, the parsing platform103causes, at least in part, a presentation of the at least one location via the at least one other application, wherein the presentation is based, at least in part, on the at least one application. By way of example, the at least one other application includes, at least in part, a mapping and/or navigation application, a messaging application (e.g., SMS), a social networking application, etc. In one example use case, the parsing platform103may present the birthday party communication discussed above as “SenefelderPlatz 7, 6:00 p.m. Sent by name@mail.com 11thApril 3:38 p.m.” in connection with a mapping and/or navigation application, for example. In one embodiment, if a user clicks on the list item, the parsing platform103can cause, at least in part, the mapping and/or navigation application to center the address on a map of the relevant area. In one embodiment, in addition to centering the at least one location on the map of the relevant area, the parsing platform103can also cause, at least in part, a presentation of the communication containing the at least one location to help the user understand the context of the location (e.g., the location of a birthday party).

In step503, wherein the at least one location is associated with at least one appointment, the parsing platform103causes, at least in part, a parsing of the one or more communications to determine at least one contextual parameter associated with the at least one appointment, wherein the presentation of the at least one location is based, at least in part, on the at least one contextual parameter. By way of example, at least one appointment may be based, at least in part, on a birthday party, a dinner reservation, an event, a real-estate listing, etc. By way of further example, the at least one contextual parameter may be based, at least in part, on a date, a time, a sender, etc. More specifically, the one or more patterns used by the parsing platform103to parse the one or more communications also include one or more patterns related to time. In one example use case, because the parsing platform103determines a time (e.g., 6:00 p.m.), the parsing platform103presents a route from the current position of the at least one device (e.g., based on GPS) to the at least one location (e.g., the birthday party) via the at least one other application (e.g., a mapping and/or navigation application) and presents the time that the user will need to leave to be at the at least one location on time (e.g., 6:00 p.m.). In another example use case, because the parsing platform103determines a date (e.g., Thursday 23rdof May), if the parsing platform103determines that the date matches the current date, then the parsing platform103presents a route from the current position of the at least one device to the at least one location via the at least one other application.

In step505, the parsing platform103optionally processes and/or facilitates a processing of the one or more communications to determine at least one status of the one or more communications, wherein the storage of the one or more indicators, the presentation of the at least one location, or a combination thereof is further based, at least in part, on the at least one status. By way of example, the at least one status includes, at least in part, “read,” “unread,” and/or “deleted,” etc. In particular, in one embodiment, it is contemplated that the parsing platform103functions as a daemon and therefore can cause, at least in part, a parsing of one or more communications (e.g., emails or SMS messages) that a user has not yet read or listened to and can cause, at least in part, a storage of the one or more indicators accordingly. Further, when the parsing platform103causes, at least in part, a presentation of the at least one location, the parsing platform103can also include the status information as part of the list.

In step507, the parsing platform103optionally processes and/or facilitates a processing of the one or more communications to determine at least one placement of the one or more indicators within the one or more communications, wherein the storage of the one or more indicators, the presentation of the at least one location, or a combination thereof, is further based, at least in part, on the at least one placement. By way of example, once the parsing platform103determines an address in one or more communications (e.g., an email), the parsing platform103can also determine whether the address appeared in the subject, the header, the message body, the footer, etc. of the email. In one embodiment, the parsing platform103can cause, at least in part, both the storage of the address along with its location in the at least one database and the parsing platform103can also cause, at least in part, the list to include the location as well (e.g., subject).

FIG. 6is a diagram of a workflow for determining at least one location within one or more communications, according to various embodiments. In step601, the system100causes, at least in part, a parsing of the one or more communications (e.g., an email) to determine one or more indicators of at least one location (e.g., the address “Senefelder Strasse 7”), wherein the one or more communications are associated with at least one application (e.g., an email application). In step603, the system100determines whether the address (i.e., the indicator) is unambiguous, ambiguous, a POI, a common location expression, or a combination thereof based, at least in part, on at least one comparison of the indicator against one or more entries in the at least one database (e.g., the communications database109), one or more other databases (e.g., a point of interest database, a geo-coding database, an address book or contacts list, etc.), or a combination thereof. In one embodiment, if the system100determines in step605that the determined address is unambiguous, then the system100causes, at least in part, a storage of the indicator in the at least one database in step607based, at least in part, on the at least one application (e.g., an email application) and then continues to determine one or more contextual parameters associated with the one or more indicators.

In one embodiment, if the system100determines, however, in step605that the address is ambiguous as is the case with Senefelder Strasse 7, which can be found in a number of cities throughout Germany (e.g., Berlin, Fredersdorf-Vogelsdorf, etc.), then the system100determines location information associated with at least one device associated with the one or more communications (e.g., a mobile phone that receives the one or more communications). In one embodiment, the system100determines the location information based, at least in part, on one or more location-based technologies (e.g., GPS, cellular triangulation, A-GPS, etc.) in step609. In step611, the system100determines based, at least in part, on GPS coordinates, for example, that the at least one device is in Berlin. In step613, the system100causes, at least in part, at least one comparison of the address Senefelder Strasse 7 against the location information (e.g., Berlin), the one or more other databases (e.g., a geo-coding database), or a combination thereof to determine whether the one or more indicators match the location information. In one embodiment, if the system100determines a match in step613, then the system100selects the matching result in615and causes, at least in part, the storage of the indicator as discussed in step607. However, if the system100does not determine a match, then in step617, the system100causes, at least in part, a storage of all resulting addresses to the at least one database and continues to determine one or more contextual parameters associated with the one or more indicators.

FIG. 7is a diagram of a workflow where the system100determines that the one or more indicators is a POI, according to various embodiments. In step701, as a result of parsing the one or more communications (e.g., an email), the system100determines a POI (e.g., Zoo Cafe). In step703, the system100determines the at least one location of the POI based, at least in part, on location information associated with the at least one device (e.g., a mobile phone that received the particular communication) based, at least in part, on one or more location-based technologies (e.g., GPS). In step705, the system100determines that the at least one device is located in Berlin. In step707, the system100causes, at least in part, at least one comparison of the POI against one or more POI databases to determine whether the POI is also located in Berlin. If the system100finds the POI in the one or more POI databases in step709, then the system100causes, at least in part, a presentation of the at least one location via the at least one other application (e.g., a mapping and/or navigation application) in a step711. However, if the system100determines in step709that the POI does not match the one or more POI databases, then in step713, the system100does not cause, at least in part, a presentation of the location via at least one other application (e.g., a mapping and/or navigation application) based, at least in part, on the one or more POI databases including the address or location of the determined POI.

FIG. 8is a diagram of a workflow where the system100determines that the one or more indicators is a common location expression, according to various embodiments. In step801, as a result of parsing the one or more communications (e.g., an email), the system100determines the common location expression “my place.” In step803, the system100first determines the sender of the one or more communications and then causes, at least in part, a comparison of the sender against one or more entries in an address book or a contacts list of the user associated with the at least one device that received the particular communication. If the system100is able to determine a match in step805, then in step807, the system100attempts to find a home address for the sender. If the system100is able to determine an address in step809, then in step811, the system100causes, at least in part, a storage of the address in the at least one database (i.e., the address of the sender's place) and continues to determine one or more contextual parameters associated with the one or more indicators. If, however, the system100is unable to find an address in step809, then in step813, the system100does not cause, at least in part, a presentation of the at least one location via at least one other application (e.g., a mapping and/or navigation application). Similarly, if the system100is unable to match the sender with one or more entries in the user's address book or contacts list in step805, then in step813, the system100also does not cause, at least in part, a presentation of at least one location.

FIG. 9is a diagram of a workflow for causing, at least in part, a presentation of at least one location via at least one other application (e.g., a mapping and/or navigation application). In step901, as a result of parsing the one or more communications, the system100determines at least one location (e.g., SenefelderPlatz 7). Once the system100determines the at least one location in step901, in step903, the system100causes, at least in part, a parsing of the one or more communications to determine at least one contextual parameter associated with the at least one location (e.g., a date, a time, a sender, etc.). In particular, in step903, the system100attempts to determine at least one time. If the system100is unable to determine at least one time in step903, then in step905, the system does not propose a time for a user to get from his or her current location to the at least one location determined by the system100in step901, but simply causes, at least in part, the presentation of the at least one location via the at least one other application (e.g., a mapping and/or navigation application) as though the user was leaving immediately. However, if the system100is able to determine a time in step903, then in step907, the system100attempts to determine at least one date associated with the at least one location. In one embodiment, if the system100is unable to determine a date, then in step909, the system100proposes a time for the user to arrive at 6:00 p.m. at the at least one location on the current date. Moreover, in step911, the system100causes, at least in part, the presentation of the at least one location via the at least one other application (e.g., a mapping and/or navigation application) based, at least in part, on the current GPS position of the at least one device. Further, in step913, the system100can propose a route between the at least one location determined in step901and the current location of the at least one device determined in step911based, at least in part, on the user taking a car as depicted in step915and/or public transportation (e.g., a bus or subway) as depicted in step917.

In one embodiment, if the system100determines a date within the communication in step907, then in step919, the system100determines whether the date matches the current date. If the system100determines that the date is the current date in step919, then the system100follows the work flow as discussed in steps909-917. However, if system100determines that the date is not the current date in step919, then in step921, the system100can propose a time for the user to leave so that he or she will arrive at the at least one location at 6:00 p.m. on the specified date. In addition, in step923, the system100can query the user to see whether he or she plans to leave from the current location as determined in step911or if the user plans to leave from another location. Once the system determines the relevant starting point, the system100follows the work flow as discussed in steps913-917.

FIG. 10is a diagram of user interfaces utilized in the processes ofFIGS. 3-5, according to various embodiments. As shown, the example user interfaces ofFIG. 10include one or more user interface elements and/or functionalities created and/or modified based, at least in part, on information, data, and/or signals resulting from the processes (e.g., processes300,400, and500) described with respect toFIGS. 3-5. More specifically,FIG. 10illustrates user interfaces (e.g., interfaces1001,1003,1005, and1007) of a mobile device (e.g., a mobile phone) causing, at least in part, a presentation of the at least one location via at least one other application (e.g., a mapping and/or navigation application). More specifically, in one embodiment, the interface1001features a mapping and/or navigation application that includes at least one interactive interface element1009(e.g., “A”) for determining recent addresses found by the system100in one or more communication channels in the last day, week, month, etc., for example. In one embodiment, it is contemplated that the span of the one or more communications can be configured by the user.

In one embodiment, as a result of determining one or more interactions with the interface element1009, the system100causes, at least in part, a presentation of an information window1011to be placed on top of the mapping and/or navigation application as depicted in interface1003. In one embodiment, it is contemplated that the information window1011can be configured by user (e.g., appearing on the bottom of the interface display, appearing on the top of the interface display, appearing semi-transparent so that the mapping and/or navigation application is still partially visible below, etc.). In particular, the information window1011of interface1003depicts the specific number of the one or more communications containing location information recently received by the user as well as the particular communication channels or applications by which the one or more communications where received.

In one or more embodiments, as a result of determining one or more interactions with one or more of the lists of communication channels as presented in the information window1011(e.g., “Email A”), the system100causes, at least in part, a presentation of another information window1013as depicted in interface1005that includes the determined locations SenefelderPlatz and Torstrasse that correspond to Email A. In one embodiment, once the system100determines one or more interactions with the at least one location (e.g., SenefelderPlatz), the system100causes, at least in part, a presentation of the at least one location1015in reference to the current location1017of the interface1005, for example, based, at least in part, on one or more location-based technologies (e.g., GPS, cellular triangulation, A-GPS, etc.).

In one embodiment, it is contemplated as a result of determining one or more interactions with the interactive interface elements1019and1021associated with the locations SenefelderPlatz and Torstrasse, respectively, the system100can cause, at least in part, a presentation of the original communication within which the location was contained as depicted in the information window1023of interface1007. Similar to the information window1011, in one embodiment, it is contemplated that the information windows1013and1023can also be configured by a user (e.g., appearing on the bottom of the interface display, appearing on the top of the interface display, appearing semi-transparent so that the mapping and/or navigation application is still partially visible below, etc.). In one embodiment, if the system100determines one or more further interactions with the interface element1009, then the system100can cause, at least in part, the information windows1011,1013, and1023to close and the full view of the mapping and/or navigation application of interface1001can resume.

The processes described herein for parsing one or more communications to determine location details and to make those details available to one or more applications that can enable a user to determine how and when to get to a particular location may be advantageously implemented via software, hardware, firmware or a combination of software and/or firmware and/or hardware. For example, the processes described herein, may be advantageously implemented via processor(s), Digital Signal Processing (DSP) chip, an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), etc. Such exemplary hardware for performing the described functions is detailed below.

A bus1110includes one or more parallel conductors of information so that information is transferred quickly among devices coupled to the bus1110. One or more processors1102for processing information are coupled with the bus1110.

Computer system1100also includes a memory1104coupled to bus1110. The memory1104, such as a random access memory (RAM) or any other dynamic storage device, stores information including processor instructions for parsing one or more communications to determine location details and to make those details available to one or more applications that can enable a user to determine how and when to get to a particular location. Dynamic memory allows information stored therein to be changed by the computer system1100. RAM allows a unit of information stored at a location called a memory address to be stored and retrieved independently of information at neighboring addresses. The memory1104is also used by the processor1102to store temporary values during execution of processor instructions. The computer system1100also includes a read only memory (ROM)1106or any other static storage device coupled to the bus1110for storing static information, including instructions, that is not changed by the computer system1100. Some memory is composed of volatile storage that loses the information stored thereon when power is lost. Also coupled to bus1110is a non-volatile (persistent) storage device1108, such as a magnetic disk, optical disk or flash card, for storing information, including instructions, that persists even when the computer system1100is turned off or otherwise loses power.

Information, including instructions for parsing one or more communications to determine location details and to make those details available to one or more applications that can enable a user to determine how and when to get to a particular location, is provided to the bus1110for use by the processor from an external input device1112, such as a keyboard containing alphanumeric keys operated by a human user, a microphone, an Infrared (IR) remote control, a joystick, a game pad, a stylus pen, a touch screen, or a sensor. A sensor detects conditions in its vicinity and transforms those detections into physical expression compatible with the measurable phenomenon used to represent information in computer system1100. Other external devices coupled to bus1110, used primarily for interacting with humans, include a display device1114, such as a cathode ray tube (CRT), a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light emitting diode (LED) display, an organic LED (OLED) display, a plasma screen, or a printer for presenting text or images, and a pointing device1116, such as a mouse, a trackball, cursor direction keys, or a motion sensor, for controlling a position of a small cursor image presented on the display1114and issuing commands associated with graphical elements presented on the display1114. In some embodiments, for example, in embodiments in which the computer system1100performs all functions automatically without human input, one or more of external input device1112, display device1114and pointing device1116is omitted.

In the illustrated embodiment, special purpose hardware, such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC)1120, is coupled to bus1110. The special purpose hardware is configured to perform operations not performed by processor1102quickly enough for special purposes. Examples of ASICs include graphics accelerator cards for generating images for display1114, cryptographic boards for encrypting and decrypting messages sent over a network, speech recognition, and interfaces to special external devices, such as robotic arms and medical scanning equipment that repeatedly perform some complex sequence of operations that are more efficiently implemented in hardware.

Computer system1100also includes one or more instances of a communications interface1170coupled to bus1110. Communication interface1170provides a one-way or two-way communication coupling to a variety of external devices that operate with their own processors, such as printers, scanners and external disks. In general the coupling is with a network link1178that is connected to a local network1180to which a variety of external devices with their own processors are connected. For example, communication interface1170may be a parallel port or a serial port or a universal serial bus (USB) port on a personal computer. In some embodiments, communications interface1170is an integrated services digital network (ISDN) card or a digital subscriber line (DSL) card or a telephone modem that provides an information communication connection to a corresponding type of telephone line. In some embodiments, a communication interface1170is a cable modem that converts signals on bus1110into signals for a communication connection over a coaxial cable or into optical signals for a communication connection over a fiber optic cable. As another example, communications interface1170may be a local area network (LAN) card to provide a data communication connection to a compatible LAN, such as Ethernet. Wireless links may also be implemented. For wireless links, the communications interface1170sends or receives or both sends and receives electrical, acoustic or electromagnetic signals, including infrared and optical signals, that carry information streams, such as digital data. For example, in wireless handheld devices, such as mobile telephones like cell phones, the communications interface1170includes a radio band electromagnetic transmitter and receiver called a radio transceiver. In certain embodiments, the communications interface1170enables connection to the communication network105for parsing one or more communications to determine location details and to make those details available to one or more applications that can enable a user to determine how and when to get to a particular location to the UEs101.

Network link1178typically provides information communication using transmission media through one or more networks to other devices that use or process the information. For example, network link1178may provide a connection through local network1180to a host computer1182or to equipment1184operated by an Internet Service Provider (ISP). ISP equipment1184in turn provides data communication services through the public, world-wide packet-switching communication network of networks now commonly referred to as the Internet1190.

A computer called a server host1192connected to the Internet hosts a process that provides a service in response to information received over the Internet. For example, server host1192hosts a process that provides information representing video data for presentation at display1114. It is contemplated that the components of system1100can be deployed in various configurations within other computer systems, e.g., host1182and server1192.

At least some embodiments of the invention are related to the use of computer system1100for implementing some or all of the techniques described herein. According to one embodiment of the invention, those techniques are performed by computer system1100in response to processor1102executing one or more sequences of one or more processor instructions contained in memory1104. Such instructions, also called computer instructions, software and program code, may be read into memory1104from another computer-readable medium such as storage device1108or network link1178. Execution of the sequences of instructions contained in memory1104causes processor1102to perform one or more of the method steps described herein. In alternative embodiments, hardware, such as ASIC1120, may be used in place of or in combination with software to implement the invention. Thus, embodiments of the invention are not limited to any specific combination of hardware and software, unless otherwise explicitly stated herein.

The signals transmitted over network link1178and other networks through communications interface1170, carry information to and from computer system1100. Computer system1100can send and receive information, including program code, through the networks1180,1190among others, through network link1178and communications interface1170. In an example using the Internet1190, a server host1192transmits program code for a particular application, requested by a message sent from computer1100, through Internet1190, ISP equipment1184, local network1180and communications interface1170. The received code may be executed by processor1102as it is received, or may be stored in memory1104or in storage device1108or any other non-volatile storage for later execution, or both. In this manner, computer system1100may obtain application program code in the form of signals on a carrier wave.

Various forms of computer readable media may be involved in carrying one or more sequence of instructions or data or both to processor1102for execution. For example, instructions and data may initially be carried on a magnetic disk of a remote computer such as host1182. The remote computer loads the instructions and data into its dynamic memory and sends the instructions and data over a telephone line using a modem. A modem local to the computer system1100receives the instructions and data on a telephone line and uses an infra-red transmitter to convert the instructions and data to a signal on an infra-red carrier wave serving as the network link1178. An infrared detector serving as communications interface1170receives the instructions and data carried in the infrared signal and places information representing the instructions and data onto bus1110. Bus1110carries the information to memory1104from which processor1102retrieves and executes the instructions using some of the data sent with the instructions. The instructions and data received in memory1104may optionally be stored on storage device1108, either before or after execution by the processor1102.

FIG. 12illustrates a chip set or chip1200upon which an embodiment of the invention may be implemented. Chip set1200is programmed to parse one or more communications to determine location details and to make those details available to one or more applications that can enable a user to determine how and when to get to a particular location as described herein and includes, for instance, the processor and memory components described with respect toFIG. 11incorporated in one or more physical packages (e.g., chips). By way of example, a physical package includes an arrangement of one or more materials, components, and/or wires on a structural assembly (e.g., a baseboard) to provide one or more characteristics such as physical strength, conservation of size, and/or limitation of electrical interaction. It is contemplated that in certain embodiments the chip set1200can be implemented in a single chip. It is further contemplated that in certain embodiments the chip set or chip1200can be implemented as a single “system on a chip.” It is further contemplated that in certain embodiments a separate ASIC would not be used, for example, and that all relevant functions as disclosed herein would be performed by a processor or processors. Chip set or chip1200, or a portion thereof, constitutes a means for performing one or more steps of providing user interface navigation information associated with the availability of functions. Chip set or chip1200, or a portion thereof, constitutes a means for performing one or more steps of parsing one or more communications to determine location details and to make those details available to one or more applications that can enable a user to determine how and when to get to a particular location.

In one embodiment, the chip set or chip1200includes a communication mechanism such as a bus1201for passing information among the components of the chip set1200. A processor1203has connectivity to the bus1201to execute instructions and process information stored in, for example, a memory1205. The processor1203may include one or more processing cores with each core configured to perform independently. A multi-core processor enables multiprocessing within a single physical package. Examples of a multi-core processor include two, four, eight, or greater numbers of processing cores. Alternatively or in addition, the processor1203may include one or more microprocessors configured in tandem via the bus1201to enable independent execution of instructions, pipelining, and multithreading. The processor1203may also be accompanied with one or more specialized components to perform certain processing functions and tasks such as one or more digital signal processors (DSP)1207, or one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC)1209. A DSP1207typically is configured to process real-world signals (e.g., sound) in real time independently of the processor1203. Similarly, an ASIC1209can be configured to performed specialized functions not easily performed by a more general purpose processor. Other specialized components to aid in performing the inventive functions described herein may include one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGA), one or more controllers, or one or more other special-purpose computer chips.

In one embodiment, the chip set or chip1200includes merely one or more processors and some software and/or firmware supporting and/or relating to and/or for the one or more processors.

The processor1203and accompanying components have connectivity to the memory1205via the bus1201. The memory1205includes both dynamic memory (e.g., RAM, magnetic disk, writable optical disk, etc.) and static memory (e.g., ROM, CD-ROM, etc.) for storing executable instructions that when executed perform the inventive steps described herein to parse one or more communications to determine location details and to make those details available to one or more applications that can enable a user to determine how and when to get to a particular location. The memory1205also stores the data associated with or generated by the execution of the inventive steps.

Pertinent internal components of the telephone include a Main Control Unit (MCU)1303, a Digital Signal Processor (DSP)1305, and a receiver/transmitter unit including a microphone gain control unit and a speaker gain control unit. A main display unit1307provides a display to the user in support of one or more applications and mobile terminal functions that perform or support the steps of parsing one or more communications to determine location details and to make those details available to one or more applications that can enable a user to determine how and when to get to a particular location. The display1307includes display circuitry configured to display at least a portion of a user interface of the mobile terminal (e.g., mobile telephone). Additionally, the display1307and display circuitry are configured to facilitate user control of at least some functions of the mobile terminal. An audio function circuitry1309includes a microphone1311and microphone amplifier that amplifies the speech signal output from the microphone1311. The amplified speech signal output from the microphone1311is fed to a coder/decoder (CODEC)1313.

A radio section1315amplifies power and converts frequency in order to communicate with a base station, which is included in a mobile communication system, via antenna1317. The power amplifier (PA)1319and the transmitter/modulation circuitry are operationally responsive to the MCU1303, with an output from the PA1319coupled to the duplexer1321or circulator or antenna switch, as known in the art. The PA1319also couples to a battery interface and power control unit1320.

The encoded signals are then routed to an equalizer1325for compensation of any frequency-dependent impairments that occur during transmission though the air such as phase and amplitude distortion. After equalizing the bit stream, the modulator1327combines the signal with a RF signal generated in the RF interface1329. The modulator1327generates a sine wave by way of frequency or phase modulation. In order to prepare the signal for transmission, an up-converter1331combines the sine wave output from the modulator1327with another sine wave generated by a synthesizer1333to achieve the desired frequency of transmission. The signal is then sent through a PA1319to increase the signal to an appropriate power level. In practical systems, the PA1319acts as a variable gain amplifier whose gain is controlled by the DSP1305from information received from a network base station. The signal is then filtered within the duplexer1321and optionally sent to an antenna coupler1335to match impedances to provide maximum power transfer. Finally, the signal is transmitted via antenna1317to a local base station. An automatic gain control (AGC) can be supplied to control the gain of the final stages of the receiver. The signals may be forwarded from there to a remote telephone which may be another cellular telephone, any other mobile phone or a land-line connected to a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), or other telephony networks.

Voice signals transmitted to the mobile terminal1301are received via antenna1317and immediately amplified by a low noise amplifier (LNA)1337. A down-converter1339lowers the carrier frequency while the demodulator1341strips away the RF leaving only a digital bit stream. The signal then goes through the equalizer1325and is processed by the DSP1305. A Digital to Analog Converter (DAC)1343converts the signal and the resulting output is transmitted to the user through the speaker1345, all under control of a Main Control Unit (MCU)1303which can be implemented as a Central Processing Unit (CPU).

The MCU1303receives various signals including input signals from the keyboard1347. The keyboard1347and/or the MCU1303in combination with other user input components (e.g., the microphone1311) comprise a user interface circuitry for managing user input. The MCU1303runs a user interface software to facilitate user control of at least some functions of the mobile terminal1301to parse one or more communications to determine location details and to make those details available to one or more applications that can enable a user to determine how and when to get to a particular location. The MCU1303also delivers a display command and a switch command to the display1307and to the speech output switching controller, respectively. Further, the MCU1303exchanges information with the DSP1305and can access an optionally incorporated SIM card1349and a memory1351. In addition, the MCU1303executes various control functions required of the terminal. The DSP1305may, depending upon the implementation, perform any of a variety of conventional digital processing functions on the voice signals. Additionally, DSP1305determines the background noise level of the local environment from the signals detected by microphone1311and sets the gain of microphone1311to a level selected to compensate for the natural tendency of the user of the mobile terminal1301.

An optionally incorporated SIM card1349carries, for instance, important information, such as the cellular phone number, the carrier supplying service, subscription details, and security information. The SIM card1349serves primarily to identify the mobile terminal1301on a radio network. The card1349also contains a memory for storing a personal telephone number registry, text messages, and user specific mobile terminal settings.