Abstract:
A method for visually representing information on a display of a portable electronic device includes receiving location coordinates from at least one other portable electronic device, plotting a visual identifier on a map and displaying the map on the display of the portable electronic device. The position of the visual identifier corresponds to the location coordinates received from the at least one other portable electronic device, which correspond to an actual location of the at least one other portable electronic device. The appearance of the visual identifier is selected to depict the status of the user of the at least one other portable electronic device.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/954,727 filed Nov. 26, 2010, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/346,280 filed Feb. 3, 2006, in which all are hereby incorporated by reference. 
         [0002]    A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by any one of the patent document or patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0003]    The present specification relates to a mapping application, in particular, a mapping application for visually representing location information. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0004]    Mapping software is widely used to provide a user with a visual location on a map that corresponds to a street address. MapQuest and Google each offer free access to their mapping software over the internet. In addition to using the mapping software to plot various addresses, it is also known to integrate the mapping software into other applications. One example of this is a real estate application in which multiple identifiers are plotted on a map of a particular city. In this case, each identifier visually represents a property that is for sale or for rent. By selecting an identifier, additional information about the property may be displayed, including contact information for the real estate agent associated with that property. 
         [0005]    There are many applications that may be suitable for integration with mapping software. In each case, however, the plotted item is limited to being a building, a tourist attraction or a restaurant, for example. It is therefore desirable to plot the location of a movable item whose location may change over time. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    The specification will be better understood with reference to the following Figures in which: 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  is a functional block diagram of a communication system for a portable electronic device according to an embodiment; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a functional block diagram of certain components the portable electronic device of  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a front view of a display of the portable electronic device of  FIG. 2 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0010]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a functional block diagram of a communication system  10  and a portable electronic device  12  is generally shown. The portable electronic device  12  and the communication system  10  are operable to effect communications over a radio communications channel therebetween. 
         [0011]    For the purpose of illustration, the communication system  10  is functionally represented in  FIG. 1  and includes a base station  14 . Base station  14  defines a coverage area, or cell  16  within which communications between the base station  14  and the portable electronic device  12  can be effected. It will be appreciated that the portable electronic device  12  is movable within cell  16  and can be moved to coverage areas defined by other cells, including those that are not illustrated in the present example. 
         [0012]    The base station  14  is part of a wireless network and infrastructure  18  that provides a link to the portable electronic device  12 . The wireless network and infrastructure  18  includes additional base stations (not shown) that provide the other cells referred to above. Data is delivered to the portable electronic device  12  via wireless transmission from base station  14 . Similarly, data is sent from the portable electronic device  12  via wireless transmission to the base stations  14 . 
         [0013]    Wireless networks and infrastructures include, for example, data-centric wireless networks, voice-centric wireless networks, or dual-mode wireless networks. For the purpose of the present exemplary embodiment, the wireless network and infrastructure  18  includes a dual-mode wireless network that supports both voice and data communications over the same physical base stations. 
         [0014]    The communication system  10  further includes a relay device  20  that is connected to the wireless network and infrastructure  18  and to a server  22 . It will be understood that the functions provided by the relay device  20  and the server  22  can be embodied in the same device. The server  22  is also connected to an administration server  24 , as shown. The administration server  24  provides administrative services to and control over the server  22 . 
         [0015]    The server  22  is also functionally coupled through a connector  26  to a backup/restore database  28 . Other connectors and databases can be provided, for example, for synchronization purposes. The connector  26  receives commands from the server  22 . It will be understood that the connector  26  is a functional component and can be provided by way of an application on the server  22 . The backup/restore database  28  is used for storing data records, including, for example, copies of Short Message Service (SMS) or Personal Identification Number (PIN) messages sent from the portable electronic device  12 . 
         [0016]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a block diagram of certain components within the portable electronic device  12  is shown. In the present embodiment, the portable electronic device  12  is based on the computing environment and functionality of a wireless personal digital assistant (PDA). It will be understood, however, that the portable electronic device  12  is not limited to a wireless personal digital assistant. Other portable electronic devices are possible, such as cellular telephones, smart telephones, and laptop computers. Referring again to the present embodiment, the portable electronic device  12  is based on a microcomputer including a processor  30  connected to a read-only-memory (ROM)  32  that contains a plurality of applications executable by the processor  30  that enables the portable electronic device  12  to perform certain functions including, for example, PIN message functions, SMS message functions and cellular telephone functions. The processor  30  is also connected to a random access memory unit (RAM)  34  and a persistent storage device  36  which are responsible for various non-volatile storage functions of the portable electronic device  12 . The processor  30  receives input from various input devices including a keypad  38 . The processor  30  outputs to various output devices including an LCD display  40 . A microphone  44  and phone speaker  42  are connected to the processor  30  for cellular telephone functions. The processor  30  is also connected to a modem and radio device  46 . The modem and radio device  46  is used to connect to wireless networks using an antenna  48 . The modem and radio device  46  transmits and receives voice and data communications to and from the portable electronic device  12  through the antenna  48 . 
         [0017]    The portable electronic device  12  is operable to effect two way communication of voice and data. Thus, the portable electronic device  12  transmits and receives voice and data communications over the wireless network and infrastructure  18  via wireless communications with the base station  14  over a radio communications channel. 
         [0018]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , display screen  40  of portable electronic device  12  of a first user, is generally shown. A map  52  appears on the display  40 . Avatars  54 ,  56 ,  58  and  60 , which are located at various positions on the map  52 , are also shown on the display  40 . Each avatar  54 ,  56 ,  58 ,  60  is a visual identifier that represents a different portable electronic device user. 
         [0019]    The map  52  is generated using a mapping software application, which uses mapping software to provide worldwide map data. The worldwide map data may be provided by NAVTEQ, Tele Atlas or another provider. 
         [0020]    The position at which each avatar  54 ,  56 ,  58 ,  60  is plotted on the map  52  corresponds to the global location coordinates of each user&#39;s portable electronic device at a particular time. The location coordinates are determined locally in each portable electronic device using Global Positioning System (GPS) technology that is integrated into each portable electronic device. The location coordinates may alternatively be determined locally based on signal strength from cell towers, for example, or any other suitable type of positioning technology. Further, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that if a user&#39;s portable electronic device does not support GPS technology, the user may manually input location information into the portable electronic device. 
         [0021]    Once the location coordinates have been determined locally, the coordinates are sent to the portable electronic device  12  of the first user, whose display  40  is shown in  FIG. 3 . The coordinates may be sent following a request from the first user or at regular intervals without a request from the first user. Alternatively, the coordinates may be sent every time there is a change in the coordinates. 
         [0022]    The status of each user is also visually represented on the display  40 . As shown, avatar  54  is grayed out and includes a picture of a bee  62  to indicate that the user associated with this avatar  54  is busy; avatar  56  is grayed out and includes a picture of a do not disturb sign  64  to indicate that the user is not available; avatar  58  includes a picture of a callout  66  to indicate that the user is typing a message and avatar  60  is available. The status of each user is determined locally using algorithms on the portable electronic device. Determining the status of a portable electronic device user is well known in the art. For example, a user&#39;s status may be determined to be unavailable if the user does not respond to active notifications, which include emails, calendar events and instant messages, for a predetermined period of time. 
         [0023]    Similar to the location coordinates, the status may be sent to the first user following a request from the first user, at regular intervals, or every time there is a change in the user status. The status information is generally sent to the portable electronic device of the first user at the same time as the location information, however, may alternatively be sent at a different time. 
         [0024]    The portable electronic device users that are displayed on the map  52  are members of a contact list of the first user. The first user is authorized to receive and view information about each member and therefore is a member of the contact list of each of the other users. Similarly, the other users are authorized to receive and view information about the first user. The authorization process between a pair of portable electronic device users is well known in the art and therefore will not be described here. 
         [0025]    The contact list is divided into a number of groups. The first user may not want to display the location of every contact in his/her contact list all of the time so it is possible to select one or more groups to display. For example, one group may be called “Project Leaders” and contain only those colleagues who are in charge of projects. It may be useful to plot only this group on a map in order to determine their respective locations at the time a meeting is scheduled to start. Similarly, other groups may be created and plotted on a map. 
         [0026]    The information that is stored in the contact list with respect to a particular user typically includes: email address, phone number(s), facsimile number(s) and physical address(es). A profile including a preferred avatar of the contact may also be stored with the contact information. 
         [0027]    The contact list is not limited to including only contacts who have completed an authorization process. Contacts for whom location and status information cannot be obtained may also be included on the contact list. In addition, if a user who is an authorized contact of the first user does not wish to have his/her location or status made available at a particular time, the user may block transmission of such information, if desired. 
         [0028]    The first user is able to view additional information associated with an avatar  54 ,  56 ,  58 ,  60  by focusing on the avatar  54 ,  56 ,  58 ,  60  using a mouse or other selection device. As shown in  FIG. 3 , avatar  60  is “in focus”. This launches a window  68  that provides additional information from the contact list about the contact. In this case, a photograph and email address is provided, however, other information may alternatively be provided. 
         [0029]    In use, the first user powers up portable electronic device  12  if it is not already powered up. The user then selects a group of contacts from a list of predefined groups that is provided. Following selection of the desired group, a location and status request is sent from the first user&#39;s portable electronic device to the portable electronic devices of each member of the selected group. When the requested information has been received, a map  52  is presented on the display  40  including the avatars  54 ,  56 ,  58 ,  60  of the respective contacts as shown in  FIG. 3 . As previously described, the location and status may alternatively be broadcast from the portable electronic devices of the other users and received by the portable electronic device of the first user without a request. 
         [0030]    Once the avatars  54 ,  56 ,  58 ,  60  have been plotted on the map  52 , the first user may focus on any one of the avatars  54 ,  56 ,  58 ,  60  to bring up window  68 , which includes further information associated with the avatar  54 ,  56 ,  58 ,  60 . 
         [0031]    The map  52  may be maintained on the display  40  at all times or alternatively, the map  52  may be launched each time the first user selects a “Map my Contacts” application from a menu. In the embodiment in which the map  52  is maintained on the display  40 , the location coordinates and status are updated at regular intervals. The timing of the intervals may be set by the portable electronic device  12  of the first user. Alternatively, the location coordinates and status may only be updated when the first user clicks a “refresh” button. 
         [0032]    In another embodiment, the avatars  54 ,  56 ,  58 ,  60  are replaced with customized avatars that are easily differentiable from one another. One type of customized avatar is a photograph of the respective user. The customized avatars may be associated with each user&#39;s profile. Alternatively, avatars may be assigned by the first user to override the avatars associated with the user profiles. 
         [0033]    The status of a user may be represented in various ways. For example, if the avatar is a photograph of the user, a busy status may be indicated by graying out the photograph; a not available status may be indicated by drawing an X over the photograph, a typing status may be indicated by coloring the photograph yellow or another suitable color; and an available status may be indicated by simply displaying the original photograph. It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that other types of status may also be visually represented. For example, if a user has manually set their portable electronic device to “do not disturb” this may be represented in a different manner than a user who has simply not responded to calls or electronic messages for a period of time. 
         [0034]    It will be appreciated that the location and status information of the other users is displayed on the map  52  regardless of the actual distance between the other users and the first user. As long as the portable electronic device  12  of the first user is able to receive signals from the other users, the information will be displayed. 
         [0035]    A specific embodiment has been shown and described herein. However, modifications and variations may occur to those skilled in the art. For example, although only a small number of avatars have been described, there are many types of avatars for differentiating users from one another and for indicating the status of each user that could be used. In addition, the map  52  that appears on the display  40  may be drawn from location source data using vector graphics. Other modifications and variations may occur to those skilled in the art. All such modifications and variations are believed to be within the sphere and scope of the present embodiment.