Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US8041506?ie=ISO-8859-1&dq=3723653
Timestamp: 2014-07-10 12:53:55
Document Index: 186748836

Matched Legal Cases: ['Application No. 60', 'art 600', 'art 600', 'art 636', 'art 636', 'art 636', 'art 662', 'art 662', 'art 683', 'art 683']

Patent US8041506 - Mapping in mobile devices - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign in<nobr>Advanced Patent Search</nobr>PatentsA computer-implemented mapping method is disclosed and includes displaying a first map view of a geographic area on a display of a computing device, receiving a voice or key-press zoom command and generating a first zoom box of a predetermined size on the display relative to the first map view in response...http://www.google.com/patents/US8041506?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US8041506 - Mapping in mobile devicesAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS8041506 B2Publication typeGrantApplication numberUS 11/557,456Publication dateOct 18, 2011Filing dateNov 7, 2006Priority dateNov 7, 2005Also published asCA2628995A1, EP1955213A2, EP1955213A4, EP1955214A2, EP1955214A4, EP2466501A2, EP2466501A3, US7945546, US20070118520, US20070176796, US20110276591, US20120329519, US20130095892, US20130095893, US20130102364, US20140123070, WO2007056449A2, WO2007056449A3, WO2007056450A2, WO2007056450A3Publication number11557456, 557456, US 8041506 B2, US 8041506B2, US-B2-8041506, US8041506 B2, US8041506B2InventorsAdam Bliss, Mark Crady, Michael Chu, Scott Jenson, Sanjay Mavinkurve, Joshua J. Sacks, Jerry MorrisonOriginal AssigneeGoogle Inc.Export CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (30), Non-Patent Citations (2), Referenced by (8), Classifications (26), Legal Events (1) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetMapping in mobile devicesUS 8041506 B2Abstract A computer-implemented mapping method is disclosed and includes displaying a first map view of a geographic area on a display of a computing device, receiving a voice or key-press zoom command and generating a first zoom box of a predetermined size on the display relative to the first map view in response to the zoom command, and displaying a second map view of a zoomed geographic area corresponding to the zoom box.
1. A computer-implemented mapping method, comprising:
displaying a first map view of a geographic area on a display of a computing device;
performing a zoom operation that comprises displaying a second map view of a zoomed geographic area that corresponds to a resized zoom box in response to:
receiving a first voice or key-press zoom command;
generating a zoom box of a first predetermined size on the displayed first map view in response to the received first voice or key-press zoom command;
receiving at least one second voice or key-press zoom command; and
resizing the zoom box to a second predetermined size on the displayed first map view in response to the received second voice or key-press zoom command.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the second map view has a different resolution than the first map view.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the first and the second map views comprise tiles of raster images.
4. The method of claim 3, further comprising retrieving tiles of the zoomed geographic area and replacing the displayed first map view with the retrieved tiles.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the zoom box comprises an outline superimposed inside the edges of the first map view.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first zoom command is received by activation of a zoom key on a telephone device.
7. The method of claim 6, further comprising, before performing the zoom operation, receiving a movement key activation and panning the zoom box over the first map view in a direction corresponding to the activated movement key.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the activated movement key comprises a hardware key that is physically aligned with a changeable region of the display on the computing device.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the second map view is a zoomed-out view of the first map view.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the zoom box comprises the first map view displayed as a reduced image centered in the display.
11. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving a zoom initiation command, and wherein the zoom operation is performed in response to receiving the zoom initiation command.
12. The method of claim 1, further comprising waiting for a predetermined delay time interval before performing the zoom operation.
13. The method of claim 1, wherein the zoom box at the second predetermined size is of a size that corresponds to a spatial area for the geographic area that is displayed in response to receiving a third voice or key-press zoom command.
14. The method of claim 1, wherein the zoom box is superimposed over the first map view.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein the zoom box circumscribes an area of the displayed first map.
16. A tangible media carrying instructions that, when executed, perform steps comprising:
performing a zoom operation that comprises displaying a second map view of a zoomed geographic area corresponding to a resized zoom box, in response to:
generating a zoom box of a first predetermined size on the displayed first map view in response to the received first zoom command;
resizing the zoom box to a second predetermined size on the displayed first map view in response to the received second zoom command.
17. The media of claim 16, wherein the steps further comprise retrieving map tiles, each map tile representing a portion of the zoomed geographic area, and replacing the displayed first map view with the retrieved tiles.
18. The media of claim 17, wherein the zoom box comprises an outline superimposed inside the edges of the first map view.
19. The media of claim 16, wherein the first zoom command is received by activation of a zoom key on a telephone device.
20. The media of claim 19, wherein the steps further comprise, before performing the zoom operation, receiving a movement key activation and panning the zoom box over the first map view in a direction corresponding to the activated movement key.
21. The media of claim 20, wherein the activated movement key comprises a hardware key that is physically aligned with a changeable region of the display on the computing device.
22. The media of claim 16, wherein the second map view is a zoomed-out view of the first map view and the zoom box comprises the first map view displayed as a reduced image centered in the display.
23. The media of claim 16, wherein the zoom box at the second predetermined size is of a size that corresponds to a spatial area for the geographic area that is displayed in response to receiving a third voice or key-press zoom command.
24. The media of claim 16, wherein the zoom box is superimposed over the first map view.
25. The media of claim 24, wherein the zoom box circumscribes an area of the displayed first map.
26. A mobile computer-implemented mapping system, comprising:
an interface to receive location information and to provide, in response, corresponding map information, the map providing a view of a geographic area centered around a location identified by the location information;
means for changing map information displayed by the interface in response to inputs by a user to a mobile device, wherein the inputs cause a visual preview indictor of a next map size to be displayed on a current map view, and upon selection by the user, cause a map view to be displayed that corresponds to a size of the visual preview indicator.
27. A mobile computer-implemented mapping system, comprising:
at least one mobile device, comprising:
an input interface arranged to receive zoom commands, including at least a first zoom command and a second zoom command;
a display interface arranged to present map views, including at least a first map view and a second map view;
a processor arranged to receive instructions stored in memory to
generate a zoom box of a first predetermined size on the first map view in response to the first zoom command,
resize the zoom box to a second predetermined size on the first map view in response to the second zoom command, and then
send a request to perform a zoom operation to display the second map view based on the second predetermined size of the zoom box; and
a mapping server system, comprising:
map tile storage holding a plurality of tiles for transmission to and display on the mobile device;
an interface arranged to receive the request and to send one or more of the tiles to the mobile device for display as the second map view; and
a processor arranged to receive instructions stored in memory to select the one or more tiles based on the second predetermined area in the received request.
28. The system of claim 27, wherein the zoom box at the second predetermined size is of a size that corresponds to a spatial area on the first map view that is displayed as the second map view in response to the request to perform the zoom operation.
29. The system of claim 27, wherein the zoom box is superimposed over the first map view.
30. The system of claim 29, wherein the zoom box circumscribes an area of the first map view.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/734,675, filed Nov. 7, 2005, and entitled �Local Search and Mapping for Mobile Devices�, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD This description relates to user interfaces, and more particularly to generating customized graphical user interfaces for mobile computing devices.
BACKGROUND Handheld mobile devices, such as cellular telephones and personal digital assistants (PDAs), are becoming increasingly powerful both in terms of processing power and the ability to provide access to data. The usefulness of these enhancements is often limited, however, by an inability of mobile devices to display data effectively due to the small size of the display, to the limited bandwidth available for wirelessly delivering data, and to mobile device's limited memory resources relative to laptop and desktop computers.
One useful application for mobile devices is that of �local search.� Such an application allows a user to specify a particular geographic location or area when submitting a search so that the search results relate to that location or area. For example, a user may enter �dim sum restaurants 56523� to be provided a list of all dim sum restaurants in the 56532 zip code. Or the user might submit �hotels near LAX� to receive a list or map showing all hotels near Los Angeles International airport. Such local search can be particularly helpful to users of mobile devices because they are often looking for information about things around them, e.g., attempting to find directions, from their car, to a particular store or building. Thus, there is a need for computer programs or interfaces that provide users with convenient access to information and useful presentation of that information.
SUMMARY In general, this document relates to methods and systems for allowing users of mobile devices having, for example, relatively small screens and slow data transmission rates (or high latency) to interact with those devices in a convenient and helpful manner. As one example, a user can be provided with convenient approaches for panning and zooming a view such as a map. The user may also be provided with techniques for displaying and interacting with local search results. Moreover, the user may be provided with techniques for generating directions for a travel route, and for interacting with the direction information.
In one implementation, a computer-implemented mapping method is disclosed. The method comprises displaying a first map view of a geographic area on a display of a computing device, receiving a voice or key-press zoom command and generating a first zoom box of a predetermined size on the display relative to the first map view in response to the zoom command, and displaying a second map view of a zoomed geographic area corresponding to the zoom box. The second map view may have a different resolution than the first map view. Also, the first and second map view may be comprised of tiles of raster images.
In some aspects, the method further comprises retrieving tiles of the zoomed geographic area and replacing the display with the retrieved tiles. The second map view may be a zoomed-in view of the first map view. Also, the zoom box may comprise an outline superimposed inside the edges of the first map view. The zoom command may also be received by activation of a key on a telephone device. In addition, the method may comprise receiving a movement key activation and panning the zoom box over the first map view in a direction corresponding to the activated movement key. The activated key may comprise a key aligned with a changeable region of a display on the computing device.
In other aspects, the second map view may be a zoomed-out view of the first map view. The zoom box may also comprise the first map view displayed as a reduced image centered in the display. In addition, a display area around the reduced image may comprise a featureless background. In other aspects, the method may further comprise generating a second zoom box on the second map view and displaying a third map view of a zoomed geographic area corresponding to the second zoom box.
In another implementation, the document discloses a tangible media carrying instructions that, when executed, perform certain steps. The steps may include displaying a first map view of a geographic area on a display of a computing device, receiving a voice or key-press zoom command and generating a zoom box of a predetermined size on the display relative to the first map view in response to the zoom command, and displaying a second map view of a zoomed geographic area corresponding to the zoom box. The steps may further comprise retrieving map tiles, each map tile representing a portion of the zoomed geographic area, and replacing the display with the retrieved tiles. In addition, the zoom box comprises an outline superimposed inside the edges of the first map view.
In yet another implementation, a mobile computer-implemented mapping system is disclosed. The system comprises an interface to receive location information and to provide, in response, corresponding map information, map tile storage holding a plurality of tiles for display with the interface, and means for changing map information displayed by the interface in response to inputs by a user to a mobile device.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 shows displays for a panning operation on a mobile device.
FIGS. 2 a-2 b show displays for a zooming operation on a mobile device.
FIGS. 3 a-3 b show displays for a local searching operation on a mobile device.
FIGS. 4 a-4 b show displays for a directions operation on a mobile device.
FIG. 6 a is a flow chart showing actions for zooming and panning a graphical display on a mobile device.
FIG. 6 b is a flow chart showing actions for displaying menus on a mobile device.
FIG. 6 c is a flow chart showing the display of local search results on a mobile device.
FIG. 6 d is a flow chart showing actions for displaying driving directions on a mobile device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION FIG. 1 shows displays for a panning operation on a mobile device. View (a) shows a device having a map displayed on it. The map provides a view at a certain level of zoom of a geographic area�here centered around Redwood City, Calif. A user may pan on the map by using a multi-direction selection key, such as that shown in the middle of the device (e.g., cellular telephone) in the Figure. Specifically, such a key may allow a user to press on its upper portion to move up, on its right to move right, etc. In this manner, the key can operate much like a flat joystick. Numeric keys on the device may also be used for moving, such as the 6 key to move right, the 4 key to move left, etc. Other input mechanisms for panning, including voice input, may also be used as appropriate.
If the user pans beyond the extent of available tiles, the map may be temporarily displayed with the area for those tiles blank, as shown in view (b) in FIG. 1, along the right edge of the display, where the user has panned to the right from view (a). Each of the missing tiles may then be acquired, such as by downloading from a remote server, in a predetermined manner so as to fill in the blank remaining in the map while the viewer waits. In this manner, the viewer may still see all of the original map information in detail throughout the download process, which may be preferable to wholly regenerating an entirely new display for which the user will have to wait�particularly on mobile devices having long latency times.
In addition, by using tiles, panning may occur through methods other than simply erasing a prior map and replacing it with a wholly new map that has �jumped� over a predetermined distance. For example, when a user moves a certain direction, crosshairs that represent the desired location�typically the center of the map�may jump to the new panned-to location, and the map may then slide smoothly (e.g., in an animated manner) over until the cross hairs are again in the middle of the display. During or after the adjustment, additional tiles may be downloaded or loaded from a cache as necessary.
Also, FIG. 1 shows the use of certain softkeys, which may be keys whose changing functions are indicated by a changing display. In FIG. 1, the softkeys are located in the upper corners of the keypad, and correspond to a �zoom� feature (which is shown as �zoom −� to indicate that pressing the key will zoom out) and a �menu� feature (which will raise a menu of choices on the display), though other appropriate features may be provided. Other possible softkeys will be apparent from the remaining figures. The softkeys are intuitively coupled to the on-screen selections by virtue of their physical alignment with the selections (e.g., directly under the selections). In FIG. 1, the softkeys permit the invocation of a zoom function (left key), as described below, and also permit a user to call up a menu containing a plurality of menu choices (right key).
FIGS. 2 a-2 b show displays for a zooming operation on a mobile device. A map may be displayed initially at a particular zoom level that may be preset, determined by the device, or determined by a remote system, such as a server that stores and provides tiles in response to requests from devices. For example, where a search is a local search that includes a zip code or area code, the zoom level may be selected so that the area displayed with the map approximates the reach of the area code. Also, where a map is returning search results, the zoom level may be set just wider than the extent of the search results, so that all results can be seen, but the results are as zoomed-in as is practical.
A user may then zoom in or out on the display, such as a map. In FIG. 2, the �zoom out� command is represented by the left softkey denoted as �zoom −� (but which could also be denoted as �zoom out�). The right softkey may then be the �zoom +� or �zoom in� key, though it is not labeled as such in the Figure. The zoom in key may also be an �OK� key on the keypad, such as a key in the middle of the selection key. Other keys may also represent zooming functions, and zooming may occur as part of a broader course of actions by a user, rather than simply being an isolated command. For example, softkeys for zooming may be displayed only after certain menu selections are made with respect to a mapping application, or such softkeys may be displayed automatically in appropriate contexts.
As shown in view (a) of FIG. 2( a), zooming in is aided by the use of a zoom box, which is simply an outline that approximates the shape of the device display and circumscribes the area that will be shown after the zooming in has occurred. The zoom box may also comprise a shaded area or other appropriate visual indicator of the zoomed in area. An initial zoom box is shown if the user selects �zoom in� once, and boxes of decreasing size, representing further zoom levels, may be displayed as the user presses the key additional times. Subsequent pressing of a �zoom out� key after the pressing of a �zoom in� key may cause the zoom box to get larger as it steps back through wider zooms, and may ultimately result in zooming out (described below) when the zoom box fills the display.
A user may also move the zoom box around the display, such as by using directional keys (e.g., the control pad or the 2-4-6-8 keys). For example, if a user wants to zoom in on a small area in the upper right-hand corner of a currently-displayed map, the user may first press a �zoom in� key as many times as the user prefers, and then may press �right� and �up� directional keys to move the zoom box over the desired area. Such movement may occur in jumps or as smooth panning of the zoom box, e.g., by animating movement of the zoom box an index distance each time a directional key is pressed.
Zooming out may occur in a manner similar to that of zooming in, and is shown in views (d) through (f). When the user selects a �zoom out� key, the map being displayed (view (d)) may be made smaller in size with blank space around it (view (e)). If the user presses �zoom out� again, the image may become smaller yet, to a maximum distance of zooming out. Also, if the user then presses a �zoom in� key, the image may get larger until it fills the display, and the device may then show zoom boxes as rectangles of decreasing size on the map. View (f) shows the result of zooming out one degree from the display of view (d).
The blank area around the display may take on a variety of forms. For example, it may be a simple solid color for simplicity. It may also be a �background� or �wallpaper� image, so as to provide the user with the sense that the image is simply layered on top of the device's standard desktop, such as in the form of a simple widget. In addition, the area may be provided with logos or other promotional material, including material relevant to the location being shown, and may be displayed as part of a program such as the known AdWords or AdSense programs from Google.
FIGS. 3 a-3 b show displays for a local searching operation on a mobile device. Searching on the device may employ a standard search system on a server, such as the Google Local service. The information retrieved may be specially formatted for mobile display, such as by a webserver connected to the search backend, but configured to provide information particularly well-suited for display on a mobile device (e.g., search results responsive to a query, but relating to a particular town or zip code). View (a) in FIG. 3 a shows a local search input box, along with examples of formats that a search may take. When the search input box is displayed, the softkeys may change to reflect activities that are helpful in the entry of data to the search input box.
The user may enter a search request by selecting the �type a new search� hyperlink from the initial view (view (a)), which causes the device to show an empty search input box (not shown). The user may enter a search request that includes location information, such as a zip or area code or other information such as �hotels near jfk� or �pizza in sf.� In such a situation, the server that receives the request will parse out and identify the location information, and the search will be conducted around that location. The user may also enter a search request without location information, such as �dim sum,� �flowers,� or �U Haul.� In such a situation, the local search may be performed on the area shown on the map when the search is performed, or may be based on a centerpoint that is the centerpoint of the map (but perhaps covering an area smaller or larger than that shown in the map). In addition, a location may be assigned for a user to be applied across all searches, or a location may be determined by the device, such as through GPS measurement. The search box may be incorporated directly into the search dialog box also.
A user may then submit the search request, such as by pressing the equivalent of an �enter� key (e.g., pressing the center of a control pad). The request, with appropriate identifying and other information, may then be transmitted to a remote system, such as a local search server system. That system may recognize the request as coming from a mobile device, and may format the information accordingly, but may otherwise perform the search as any other local search. For example, the system may return information for nine hits so as to correspond to selections that may be made using the nine positive integers on a typical telephone keypad. (A tenth result may be provided for the 0 key also).
Such search results are shown in view (b) of FIG. 3 a, where the search term was �pizza.� Here, the results are shown in a manner common to Google Local search, with pin icons representing search results. Each pin icon is shown located approximately over the location of the result (e.g., the address of a restaurant or other business), like a push-pin in a map.
Each pin is also given a number that is associated with a key on the keypad. Pressing the associated key once will cause summary information for the search result to be displayed, such as the business name, as shown in view (b). The zoom level may be selected so as to avoid getting more than 9 or 10 results, which could not be easily identified with a mobile device keypad. Where additional results exist outside the bounds of the display (e.g., because there are many results or because the user was zoomed in very tightly and display of the search results did not change the zoom level), other selections may be provided to the user for viewing other search results, such as is shown in view (b). Various actions may be taken on the information. For example, a user may press the �send� or similar button on their device to make a telephone connection with the search result-a click to dial transaction.
Also, with mobile devices having small sizes and a limited number of input keys, it may be preferable only to display a smaller number of results on a map at a time to provide for easier viewing and interaction by a user. Where there are additional �hits� in the area searched, the display may provide some indicator of the presence of those hits located off the initial display. For example, an icon (not shown) could be displayed at each edge of the display where there are additional hits off that side of the display. Likewise, icons may be shown in the corners when the hits are located diagonally from the displayed initial map (e.g., providing eight directions of possible indicators).
The user may also press the key relating to a search result a second time (or another key, as prompted) to bring up additional information about the result, as shown in view (c). Such information may include an address of a business along with its telephone number and other contact information. Again, the telephone number may allow for click-to-dial operations-either by highlighting the number or a �call� hyperlink on the display and selecting it, or by pressing a �send� or similar button when the result is displayed.
View (d) shows a subsequent search on the device, where a search history is stored. The display is similar to that in view (a), but now a recent search is available for display in a search history. Thus, a hyperlink for the search �pizza� appears on the display. This history may be helpful, for example, because it allows a user to do the same search but for different areas. For example, a traveling salesperson may love a particular restaurant chain, and may place the name of that chain into favorites. The salesperson may then repeat that search easily for any town in which the salesperson is located, and may quickly receive results to the search (particularly when an automatic location identifier generates the appropriate map). When a user selects an item from the search history, the user may be provided an opportunity to edit the item. If such editing occurs, the edited search request may be added to the history list.
FIG. 3 b shows similar searching processes with more detail. In a first view, a map is displayed. A user then selects a right softkey associated by position with the �menu� overlay. Upon selected the softkey, a menu of choices is generated visually over the map, with a portion of the map show through around the menu, so that the display more accurately approximates a desktop windowed system with which users are typically aware. The user selects �1� and is provided a search box in the third view (and the menu box is removed). The box shows recent searches that the user may enter simply by using a directional key to move down to one of the searches, and then press an activation button. The user may also choose to type a new search using a URL selection or such an option.
In the example, the user enters �pizza 02138,� a query that may be transmitted to a central server. The server will parse the query apart and look for local information in it. For example, the system may assume that a 5-digit number in the appropriate location of a query represents a zip code. The system may also assume that food names, when accompanied by location information such as a zip code, represent an interest in restaurants. Once the user confirms their query, such as by pushing the center of a directional button, the query may be submitted to the central server, and the results sent back. The next view shows an exemplary display for such a result. As shown, a single result has been generated in response to the search query, and it is a particular pizza parlor.
The user may be given the option to see additional detail about the search result (e.g., by pressing a key such as 1), and such detail is shown in the last display in FIG. 3 b. The detail shows the address and telephone number of the particular search result. In addition, certain options with respect to the search result are provided. One of the options, for example, causes the mobile device to dial and attempt to contact the search result, such as a restaurant that takes reservations. In addition, directions relating to the location of the search result may also be provided, as described next.
FIGS. 4 a-4 b show displays for a directions operation on a mobile device. Directions may be, for example, a choice under a �menu� item, along with other options like those just discussed. As just noted, a directions operation may also be readily selected from the outcome of a local search request. Directions may be shown by a line of contrasting color or weight overlaid on a map, and may also include a number of waypoints, where the illustrated path changes directions or changes from one road to another road. Other waypoints may also be provided, such as lookouts or other points of interest along a path. A user may be provided with a menu to select preferences for particular waypoints that the user would like to have displayed near a route, such as particular stores, government buildings, landmarks, scenic points, etc.
View (a) in FIG. 4( a) shows a first display for entering data for receiving directions. The view provides a user the ability to enter a starting point for the directions. In the pictured view, a user can select a point in two ways�by entering an address or similar locational information, and by selecting a point on a map. If the user chooses the first option, such as by selecting a corresponding hyperlink, the user may be provided with an empty data entry box into which an address may be entered. That address will be sent to a remote system which may then parse it and determine the address to which it refers, in preparing directions to return to the device. The user may also choose a location from a �recent places� list which stores location data and names for locations that have recently been entered into the user's device, or �favorite places� list which displays locations specifically identified by the user as favorites (much like favorite web sites in a standard web browser). If the user chooses the second option (selecting a location on a map), the dialog will be removed so that the underlying map is displayed, and the user may use map navigation (e.g., panning and zooming) as explained above to place the starting point in or near the middle of the displayed map. The user may then press the center of a navigation key to indicate a selection of the particular starting location.
Once the user has entered the starting point, he or she may enter the ending point in a similar manner to the entry of the starting point. View (b) shows a dialog for entering end point information. Note again that the device may track recently identified locations and present them as �recent places� selections, either for starting points or ending points, to permit quicker identification of a point by a user. Also, context sensitive softkeys may also be provided, such as an option (in view (a)) to cancel an attempt to receive directions, and an option (in view (b)) to go back to re-select a start point.
A dialog can initially be displayed along with the proposed directions. The dialog (see view (c) in FIG. 4 a) shows a route overview, e.g., in the form of the start and end points, and a computed distance for the trip. An additional dialog may be provided showing the user which key to press to start the directions, or a user may simply scroll down through the main dialog to get to the directions. The directions may be simply short-hand statements typical of driving directions well known in the art.
A user can use the keypad (or voice commands, or even GPS readings) to traverse through the route turns, with navigational information appearing in a pop up window in much the same way as the route overview information. A user may move forward and back through a route, for instance, by pressing the 3 and 1 keys, respectively (as shown in the bottom display of FIG. 4 b). The device may also display text or icons for cues to the user about this functionality.
FIG. 6 a is a flow chart 600 showing actions for zooming and panning a graphical display on a mobile device. The flow chart 600 shows actions that may occur like those for rendering the views shown in FIGS. 1, 2 a, and 2 b above. At box 602, a location request is initially received. The request may be received directly from a user, such as by a client device, or may also be received at a server providing mapping information. At box 604, the appropriate zoom level for the request may be determined, and tiles for that zoom level may be retrieved from a database of image tiles. The tiles may be computed to be all tiles a certain distance on each side of a point, such as a location provided in the location request (which may be listed as a standard address, a GPS coordinate, or another appropriate location descriptor). At box 606, the map tiles, or a portion of the map tiles (e.g., where tiles beyond the edge of the allowable display area are clipped off) are provided to a device (where a central server selects the tiles) and are displayed on the device.
The second option�zooming in�occurs in response to a �zoom in� command (box 614), which may be sensed, for example, from the pressing of the center of a directional key. Upon receiving the command, a zoom box outline may be drawn over the map, such as in an area circumscribing a predetermined portion in the center of the map and having a shape that matches the shape of the overall display (box 616). The regeneration of the map at the zoomed in resolution may again occur after identification of a zoomed in level, or may await an explicit command for regeneration from the user (box 618). The regeneration, when it occurs, may happen by replacing the prior tile with new, higher resolution, tiles as the new tiles are retrieved (box 620). (The tiles may be higher resolution in that they could have more pixels, or they may have the same number of pixels, but may show less area and more detail because they show only a zoomed in view). To make the transition smoother, the original tiles may initially be upscaled, and may then be replaced with new zoomed in tiles, so that initially, a slightly blurred version of the view is shown, and is then replaced with a sharper version. Again, with the new view of the map displayed, the user may be given the opportunity to make other selections.
In the third option�zooming out�a user again starts the process by making a zoom out selection, which may occur, for example, by pressing an appropriately configured softkey, as shown above (box 622). The user's device may immediately re-render the existing tiles at a reduced size in a zoom box (as shown above), such as by removing pixels from the original tile images (box 624). Again, the activation of the zoom process may occur immediately or otherwise automatically, or may await explicit activation by the user (box 626). When the zoom is activated, the device may cause a central server to select from storage appropriate tiles at the new zoom level, and to deliver the tiles to the device for subsequent display of the tiles (box 628). The display may again be smoothed such as by gradually replacing the existing reduced tiles, with the new tiles.
FIG. 6 b is a flow chart 636 showing actions for displaying menus on a mobile device. The flow chart 636 shows actions that may occur like those for rendering the views shown in FIGS. 2 b, 3 b, and 4 b above. In the initial steps, a map is displayed for a defined area, such as by first receiving a location request (box 638). The request may be automatically generated such as by a GPS-enabled device, or may involve manual input, such as the entry by a user of a street address or selection by a user of a listed address. A zoom level for the location may then be determined and tiles for a map at that location at the appropriate zoom level retrieved (such as by a central server). The zoom level may be determined by various appropriate mechanisms, such as by determining the geographic breadth of the provided address. For example, if the address is for an entire zip code, the entire area for the zip code may be displayed, and a zoom level that will permit display of the entire zip code may be selected (box 642).
With the map displayed, a user may make a selection to have a pop over menu displayed on top of the map (boxes 644, 646). The menu may provide the user with a variety of choices. Here, each choice is indexed to a key on a telephone key pad for easy entry by a user, and is shown in flow chart 636 by a numbered circle. The first selection is �search,� which will cause the search box shown in FIG. 6 c to be displayed (box 648). The second selection is �directions,� which will cause the directions entry box shown in FIG. 6 d to be displayed (box 650). The third selection is �move map,� which will cause the map selections box shown in FIG. 6 a to be displayed (box 652), as will the sixth selection of �zoom.� (box 656).
Other selections involve lesser interaction with the user. For example, selection of the fourth option, �satellite/map view,� causes the form of information displayed in the map to change to a satellite photo if it is presently a map, and vice-versa (box 654). The label in the menu for this selection will also alternate to the choice that is opposite to what is currently displayed in the map when a selection occurs. Selection of the seventh option, �help,� will cause a help menu to be displayed (box 658) in a well-known manner, which may include a searchable index of help topics. Likewise, selection of the eighth option, �quit,� will return the device from the mapping application or function to its standard functions (box 660).
FIG. 6 c is a flow chart 662 showing the display of local search results on a mobile device. The flow chart 662 shows actions that may occur like those for rendering the views shown in FIGS. 3 a and 3 b above. When a user makes a selection to conduct a local search (i.e., a search whose results are connected with a location, such as a country, town, or zip code), the user's device may display a search box, and the box may be displayed over a map if the user was previously using a mapping function (box 664). The user may then provide a query to the device and the device may in turn encode the query and provide it to a central search engine server (box 666). For example, a user may enter �Chinese food� and the user's device may append a default location (such as the user's home zip code, or the coordinates for the center of the currently displayed map) and submit the combined query to a search engine's �local search� function. The server may generate search results (e.g., information about Chinese restaurants in the user's home area) along with location information (e.g., coordinates) associated with each result, and may transmit the results to the device (box 668).
FIG. 6 d is a flow chart 683 showing actions for displaying driving directions on a mobile device. The flow chart 683 shows actions that may occur like those for rendering the views shown in FIGS. 4 a and 4 b above. A user may first choose to have a directions menu displayed (box 684). The user may then choose to enter first and second endpoints for the directions (boxes 685, 686). As explained above, the endpoints may be entered as the current center of the map, as an address, as a �recent places� selection, or by other appropriate mechanisms. The second endpoint may be entered in similar manners. With the two endpoints selected, the device may submit, such as to a central server, a request for generating a route, and may receive a response with route information (box 687). The route information may be provided in a manner that the route may be overlaid over a map for display to the user. As with other actions disclosed herein, such actions may be implemented using Java, Javascript, XML, or a combination such as AJAX. Indicators for discrete waypoints along the path may also be provided, so that an icon can be displayed at each waypoint, and a detail bubble may be displayed when traversing the route from waypoint to waypoint. The route may then be displayed as an overlay on a map for a portion or all of the route (which may depend on the zoom level), and an overview showing the approximate distance and travel time for the route, may also be displayed (box 688). Finally, travel along the route may be animated, either automatically (e.g., using GPS signals from the user's device as the device travels the route) or manually (e.g., as the user presses back and forward buttons to move from one waypoint to the next). As each waypoint is approached or traversed, an information bubble may pop up to show text for the directions to the next waypoint (box 689).
FIG. 8 shows a screen shot of a mobile local search sign up page. The display shows an exemplary screen of a mobile phone, along with directions for using the system. A �Get Started� button may be selected to take the user to a screen that allows configuration of particular software for their system.
This document describes features of a user interface related to local search processes, which may be implemented in J2ME, BREW, or another applicable language or environment, such as PocketPC. In addition, although the Figures show a simple map display, the actual map may differ from that shown. For example, satellite images for comparable geographic areas may be shown instead of the map. Also, a �hybrid� display may be used, where the background is satellite images, with an overlay of streets in particular drawn colors with labels.
The techniques can be implemented in a computing system that includes a back-end component, e.g., as a data server, or that includes a middleware component, e.g., an application server, or that includes a front-end component, e.g., a client computer having a graphical user interface or a Web browser through which a user can interact with an implementation, or any combination of such back-end, middleware, or front-end components. The components of the system can be interconnected by any form or medium of digital data communication, e.g., a communication network. Examples of communication networks include a local area network (�LAN�) and a wide area network (�WAN�), e.g., the Internet.
A number of embodiments have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventions. For example, although particular graphical representations were shown as exemplary in the figures, other representations that are helpful to a user may also be employed. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.
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