Patent ID: 12189666

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

1. Overview

Information mapping approaches are described. In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present invention.

One embodiment relates to improved methods, systems and applications for updating, enhancing, organizing, and utilizing geographic maps, more commonly referred to as travel maps or business maps, for locating points of interest and places of businesses, or POI's. In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides improved use of travel and business mapping programs as a means of quickly delivering enhanced POI information, information which goes beyond the typically provided name, address, phone number data.

In one embodiment, a better, more effective means of locating POI's is provided, and the aforementioned enhanced information, eliminating time-consuming and sometimes fruitless searches. Various embodiments also provide an improved more effective method for collecting geographical coordinate data on POI's; a better means of updating map programs with current and time-dependent POI information; a map program where a subset of the resident, personalized POI's may be selected for downloading into an in-vehicle navigation system or more travel-friendly, hand-held device; an improved method for locating markers on an Internet-based search engine map; and an improved contact management system which minimizes address geocoding.

One embodiment provides an improved travel mapping or business mapping program where supplemental, qualitative POI information is effectively integrated into a map program, providing the ability to assess the “what” and the “where” simultaneously, on multiple POI's, without having to perform another search or go to another source of information.

Another embodiment provides that the supplemental, qualitative information fields associated with each type of place of business or point of interest (POI) on a mapping program, can be unique to each type of POI, and need not be limited to containing standard fields of data across all data sets.

Yet another embodiment shows how a mapping program is an effective base or medium for an information delivery system, especially for geographically locatable objects, and how it is especially useful for delivering types of information found in travel guides, or in delivering advertising information, or in providing links to booking on-line internet reservations.

Still another embodiment provides an improved travel mapping or business mapping program, where map layers containing information and needing more frequent updating, including time-dependent or seasonal information, are updated independently of other more stable and less frequently updated map layers.

In another embodiment, a mapping program has improved methods of organizing POI's using a personalized file folder system, where sets of POI's can be moved into different folders, where sets of POI's can be individually selected and synchronized to a centralized database of POI's, and where the same type of folder system is additionally used to select POI's for downloading into an in-vehicle navigation system or a hand-held palm type device.

Another embodiment provides an improved method of delivering POI's for mapping onto a travel or business map program, or onto an Internet-based map, without requiring their addresses to be geo-coded every time the POI is mapped.

Another embodiment provides an improved method of displaying POI's on a mapping program, in which the level of information displayed on the POI's is controlled or operated upon en masse, using an enriched set of information display control commands.

Yet another embodiment provides methods of marking individual, preferred POI's as favorites for independent treatment.

Still another embodiment provides an improved method of collecting information on POI's, which utilizes participation of the business owners or designated employees of the POI's to verify, correct and provide information on the POI's, including accurate geo-coordinate location information, and which utilizes their participation in the creating of map objects such as buildings to aid in showing the location of a POI associated with the objects.

A further embodiment provides an improved contact management system, which provides a more effective means of matching contact addresses to a map, and which eliminates redundant geocoding.

In other aspects, the invention encompasses a computer apparatus and a computer-readable medium configured to carry out the foregoing steps.

2. Mapping System Example

FIG.1is an overview of a travel or business mapping system100with a user-updateable map layer101for collecting, storing, manipulating and displaying points of interest, or POI's. Hereafter, the term POI (Point Of Interest) will be used broadly to include points of interest, places of business, home locations, landmarks, and any other places which might be visited, and which could appear as a geographically referenced place on a map. An Internet accessible, centralized POI Database (website)102is used to collect and verify POI data103from businesses, classified advertisers, or other geographically referenced points of interest. The POI business contact (owner or manager)104verifies and corrects, if necessary, the physical location of where the POI is to be shown on the map, enters and/or updates the contact information and qualitative information for the POI, and enters or updates advertising information fields103.

With reference toFIG.1, the Internet accessible centralized POI Database website102is also used to selectively distribute (as indicated by path116) the collected POI information103to owners of map programs106having user-updateable map layers101, based on the personal preferences of the user. Users select (or sign-up for) the POI data sets that they are interested in downloading into the POI folder107on their map. This includes identifying or defining a geographical area for each POI data set of interest. This establishes a user profile105. On return visits, their user profile105is used to provide POI data updates for the data sets previously selected.

Users can choose from downloading more complete sets of data, all restaurants for example, to downloading subsets of the data, for example only fast food chains, or only one or two specific fast food chains. As each data set is selected, a geographic area of interest is also selected, i.e., selected by country, state, zip code, city, etc, or by a radius around a point location, or by a custom defined area (polygon).

As shown inFIG.1, POI data sets may also be available or downloaded117from independent websites107conforming to POI data set formatting and downloading specifications.

The mapping program106can also interface with a contact management application program108installed on the computing device109to allow contacts from these contact management programs108to be mapped and viewed using the same type of graphical user interface (GUI) as used to map and view the POI data sets.

In another embodiment, mapping program106may be implemented as a server-based application that is hosted in association with internet database102. In this embodiment, computing devices109,110,111use a conventional Web browser to access the mapping program106, view maps, and perform map manipulation functions. Users may register at internet database102and receive accounts. A separate copy of updateable map layers101and POI file folder system107, or data representing them, are hosted at internet database102for use by each account. All graphical user interface functions and map data processing functions that are described in the following sections may be implemented in such an embodiment.

In-vehicle navigation systems110and more portable, travel-friendly hand-held devices111with mapping application programs106with user-updateable map layers101, can be updated with POI data sets directly116,117from the Internet websites102,107in a similar fashion as the PC-based computing device109, or updated from the PC-based computing device118. The latter has the advantage of including contacts from the contact management system108.

The “updatable” attribute of the preferred embodiment mapping system100offers an opportunity to include an advertising component, similar to that found in periodicals. In the present approach, the advertising is in a mapping application program, rather than in a magazine or other publication. A number of advertising approaches exist. One approach is to include advertising blurbs, in the form of taglines, POI descriptions, or advertised specials, within the information data set for individual POI's103, which then appear in the information balloons301. A second approach is to download and update advertising within the map program on a broader scale, to include pop-up or selectable ads, which are not specific to any one POI, but may be associated with a POI data set. The Global Advertisers link112to the Internet Database website102to place ads113, therefore, the mapping system100also provides for companies desiring to advertise at this higher or broader level within the mapping program106.

Each layer200is a collection of features that share some common characteristic, while all the layers share a common coordinate system201. The various physical aspects of the map-land boundaries, lakes203, rivers204, borders for country, state, county, city, and zip code, railroads, roads205, POI's206, and so forth—are assigned to layers200. When the various layers are overlaid, they form a map202as illustrated inFIGS.2A and2B.

The number of thematic layers200can be further separated, and divided down to any level of detail. For example, roads can include separate layers for Interstate highways, state highways, county highways, major roads, streets, walkways, hiking trails, and highway exits. On travel or business mapping programs, POI's can include separate layers for landmarks, airports, train stations, parks, campgrounds, hospitals, ATMs, bus stations, hotels, golf courses, wineries, schools, theaters, gas stations, parking lots, restaurants, etc. Any of these layers could be further divided down or categorized by price, ethnicity, ratings, or by classifications used in the yellow pages.

FIG.3Ashows an example of a mapping program300which utilizes a method according to the present invention. Points of interest and places of business (POI) icons302are assigned to geographically referenced data sets305, and appear under the Points of Interest Folder303, in the left hand Folder List column304. The data sets to be displayed on the map are selected from the Folder List304, and can appear as icons only306, or as an icon307with an associated information box or balloon301. The data sets which have been selected for display on the map ofFIG.3Ainclude Private, Military and Public Golf Courses and Driving Ranges (308), Kinko's (Copy Places)309, Starbuck's (Coffee Houses)310, and Wineries311. The displaying of POI data and the amount of information displayed for each POI is controllable from both the folder list304and by direct selection of a POI icon306,307on the map. The information display level for an entire POI data set is controlled from the folder list304. The selected sets then appear on the map as selectable icons306,307, where the information level for each can be changed individually.

FIG.3Ashows a number of fully open information boxes or balloons301,321,326, depicting the variety of qualitative information313that might be provided with each POI. For example inFIG.3A, the two Golf Course information boxes include not only the basic telephone book information312, i.e., name of the course, address and phone number, but useful supplemental, qualitative information313including the Type of course (Private, Public, Military, Resort, Municipal, etc), the number of holes, the course statistics (Par, Rating, Slope, Yardage), cost (range of greens fees), the Golf Digest Rating, the course designer, a description of the course as provided by the golf course, a Website address, and a website link to book a reservation. These information balloons301,321,326could also show additional useful information such as user ratings, an email address, other course amenities (driving range, practice green, etc.). If the computing device114is connected to the Internet115, clicking on one of the website addresses314would connect the user to the courses listed web page, and clicking on the Book-it link315would connect the user to a golf tee time reservation website.FIG.3Aincludes examples of other POI's. As a second example, supplemental information316on the Wineries includes; whether wine tasting is available and its cost, the hours of operation, an information blurb on the winery, information on upcoming events, and a website link.

InFIG.3A, an Advertising Bar317is shown just below the map section318. The advertising selections319appearing in this bar are displayed in association with the last active (selected) POI, or POI set. In this example, golf oriented advertising selections319appear coincidentally with the opening of one of the golf course information boxes321. Selecting the advertising button labeled “Golf Travel Acc . . . ”320, retrieves and displays the downloaded global advertisement322.FIG.3Bshows an example of this. The advertisement322is not limited to one page, and could include a number of hyperlinked pages, or larger, scrollable pages. If the computing device114is connected to the Internet115, clicking on any website links from within the advertisement322would hyperlink the user to the directed website. An example of one such link323is shown in the lower right-hand corner of the advertisement322.

Selections displayed on the advertising buttons can change, for example, as POI's associated with a different POI set are active (selected last). Not all the POI sets will necessarily have associated advertising selections, but for example, if a POI or set of POI's from the Car Dealers folder324were to be selected, advertising placed by vehicle manufacturers, or a company in the automotive industry, could be selected from a new set of advertising buttons319.

FIG.4shows how the amount of information displayed for any individual POI401can be altered, in one embodiment. In this example, right clicking on the Shoreline Golf Links information box or balloon402, opens a dialog box403with a set of commands or functions404which can be performed on the POI. This includes commands to set the information display level405. The highest (most information) level is set using the Show All Information command406where all the available data fields for the POI are displayed in the information box402, as shown in the Shoreline Golf Links information balloon. The next lower level of information display is selected with the Show Basic Info Only command407. This sets the POI to display basic, telephone book contact type information312, i.e., name, address and phone number, as shown in the Picchetti Winery information box301. The lowest information display level shows the name of the POI. This is selected using the Show Name Only command408. An example of this is shown in the Ridge Vineyards information box (label)409. The Close Label command410closes the information box completely, where only the icon symbol is displayed. The Hide Marker command411removes the icon (and all information) from the map, without deleting it from the data set.

Command buttons to perform these same functions, that is to increase or decrease the information display level, or to close the information box, also appear in the upper right hand corner of each information display box as [−], [+], and [x] boxes. The [x] button415is a standard Microsoft Windows close button, and performs the same function as the Close Label selection410. The [−] and [+] controls413,414are used to decrease or increase the information display level, respectively. In one embodiment, the buttons serve to ratchet the information display level up or down, rather than minimizing or maximizing it. For example, the Shoreline Golf Links information box402is already at its highest level. Therefore, only the decrease [−] button416and close [x] button417are displayed. In this case, clicking on the decrease [−] button416would set the information display level to show Basic Info407. Similarly, the Picchetti Winery information box412can be ratcheted up to Show All Information406with the increase [+] button415, or down to a label only408with the decrease [−] button413. Since the Ridge Vineyards information box409is already at its minimum (a label), it can be ratcheted up with the increase [+] button418, or closed with the [x] button419.

In this information display ratcheting operation, each information display is assigned a number with the Show Name Only level being the lowest, and the Show All Information level being the highest. When the [−] and [+] controls413,414are selected, the information displayed is ratcheted down or up, respectively, to correspond with the assigned display number. While this embodiment uses three information level displays, with each showing an increasing amount of information, in alternative embodiments any number of information display configurations can be created that associate different groupings of information. Such configurations could include, for example, only the phone number, or just the qualitative information without the address or phone number. Thus, the controls413,414need not increment or decrement levels, and need not cause changes among levels according to a sequential order.

In the preferred embodiment, once these information levels are set for the POI's, they are unaffected by map zoom level. Information box overlapping will occur, however, clicking on any portion of any information box402or label409will bring it to the front (most visible top layer). As the map is zoomed in or out, the size of the icon and the size of the information box or font size may be moderately reduced, but it remains viewable and discernable.

FIG.4also shows a Mark As Favorite command420. With this command, the user can identify and select specific POI's for special treatment, which will be explained later in the description.

In one embodiment, the POI's reside in a file folder system, which allows POI sets to be stored in personalized folders421and subfolders422. The operation and development of a file folder system, which allows the creating, coping, moving, deleting, renaming of folders, is well known by software developers in the industry. For example, referring toFIG.5, in Microsoft's Outlook500, incoming emails can be directed automatically into any one of a number of folders509created by the user, using rules created in the Inbox Organizer and Rules Wizard505, or emails can be manually moved from its Inbox510into existing or newly created folders509, or deleted.FIG.5shows a portion of a sample Microsoft Outlook Folder List501. Right clicking on any folder502opens a dialog box503, showing commands504for folders to be copied, moved, deleted, renamed or created. InFIG.5, the dialog box503has been activated by right clicking on the Automotive Links folder502(highlighted).FIG.5also shows Microsoft's Inbox Organizer505, which allows rules506to be created to move incoming email messages507into specific folders508based on a large choice of criteria.

FIG.6Ashows how a file folder scheme601, shown in the left hand column, can be used to organize POI's. When a user visits the Internet-based centralized POI website102, described inFIG.1, to download an update of the POI's in his user profile105, the downloaded POI sets are automatically directed to specific folders in the Folder list304. If the user chooses, the downloaded files may also be sent to the POI Inbox folder602, which is the default download folder, and moved later, either manually or with the Inbox Organizer functions.

As shown inFIG.1, sets of POI's may be downloaded into the POI Inbox602from other, independent websites107, that follow a specified interface and data format. As an example of this, the Zagat's Restaurant Ratings603may have been obtained from a Zagat's website, and not from the centralized POI distribution website102inFIG.1. Right clicking on the Zagat's Restaurant Ratings folder603brings up a dialog box604, with file folder manipulation commands605similar to the Outlook commands504shown inFIG.5. Any personally created folder can be moved, deleted, renamed or copied. In one embodiment, “Points of Interest—All” folder303and the POI Inbox folder602, shown at the top of the column, the Deleted Items folder606, shown at the bottom of the column, and the Favorites folder607shown near the center of the column, are permanent folders that cannot be deleted or moved, or renamed.

The dialog boxes604,608inFIG.6AandFIG.6Balso show how the amount of information or information level for an entire set of POI's can be altered en masse, with information level commands609similar to those405exercised on an individual POI and described inFIG.4.

FIG.6Bshows a dialog box open for the Golf Courses folder610. Selecting the Show Name Only command611would result in all Driving Ranges612and Military613, Private614and Public courses615in the subfolders under the Golf Courses folder610to be displayed on the map with their names. The result of performing this command is shown inFIG.6C. To accomplish this same name opening function on existing mapping programs would require a separate operation to be performed on each individual POI, one at a time.

The Properties selection616, shown at the bottom of the dialog box604,608, allows customization of a number of data set display elements. Two of these include selecting an icon (map symbol)702to represent a particular data set, and selecting the data fields701which are to be displayed in the information box for the highest (All Information) level of display. In an embodiment in which the number of qualitative information fields is larger, the amount of information displayed at the highest level in the All Information box402can be limited by selecting the qualitative information fields to be displayed. This allows the user to only display information fields which are important, and to limit the size of the of the information box displayed on the map.FIGS.7A and7Bshow examples of these two Properties commands for icon selection and data field selection, respectively. InFIG.7B, for example, the Fax number703is not displayed.

As additional examples of how POI information can be changed en masse,FIG.6DandFIG.6Eshow the resulting displays if the Show Basic Info Only618or the Show All Information617commands had been selected, respectively, from the dialog box608inFIG.6B.

Referring toFIG.6C, a check box619appears in front of each POI's icon in the Folder list304, which reflects whether POI's from each folder are displayed on the map. If all of the POI's within a folder are displayed on the map, either as an icon (symbol) only, or accompanied with some level of information, then the box is displayed with a black (bold) check mark. This can be seen in any of the golf related folders620, for example. If only a portion if the POI's within a folder are being displayed, then the check box is shown with a grayed or ghosted check mark. An example of this appears in front of the Coffee Houses folder621, as the Starbucks POI's622have been selected for display, but not any of the other coffee houses623; i.e. Caribou, Pasqua, etc. These check boxes619are control boxes as well as status boxes. Clicking on any of these, will either add or remove POI's from the display.

In one embodiment, clicking on a blank [ ] check box619, will cause the POI's in the selected folder to be displayed on the map with the same level information that they were last displayed with. Clicking on a fully selected folder (bold check mark)620, will remove these POI's from the display, having the same effect as the Hide Markers command624. Clicking on a partially displayed set of POI's (grayed or ghosted check box)621will remove any of the displayed POI's from the map and clear the check box. To turn off, or clear all POI's being displayed on the map, one would only need to click on the top-most Points of Interest—All folder303. All of the above described information display functions can be used with the “Points of Interest—All” folder303, allowing for example, all POI's to be displayed at a selected level.FIGS.6B and6Cshow a folder labeled as Favorites607near the center of the Folder List304. This folder contains links to POI's that were individually marked by the user as being preferred, special or unique, using the Mark As Favorite command420described withFIG.4. Functionally, this approach allows the user to quickly display, or change the information display level of, all the POI's which had previously been marked as being interesting, without having to look for them. The Delete command function625, shown in the dialog box ofFIG.6B, when applied to the Favorites folder607, will delete or remove en masse all the POI's marked as favorites from the folder, but not from the application database. In various alternatives, the Favorites folder functionality can be implemented by using either a duplicate record approach, where copies are made of the records, or a linked object approach, where links to the original record are provided.

The methods of providing enhanced, qualitative information, in addition to the telephone book contact information, as taught above, can be applied to any number of places or points of interest; restaurants could have travel guide ratings and price ranges, antique shops could include a description of the type of antiques carried or specialized in, ski resorts could include elevation, the number of runs or lifts, or shopping malls could include a listing of the major anchor stores. Alternatively, individual stores could be displayed on the map within an outline of the shopping mall itself.

In addition, the file folder approach in combination with the copy command could be used to create themed folders containing copies of other folders. For example, a folder labeled “Traveling” might contain copies of the Public Golf Courses, Driving Ranges, Starbucks, and Zagat's Restaurant Ratings. Clicking on the Traveling folder check box, would then place all these travel related POI's on the map with one click.

FIG.8shows how the unique functionality described above using a file folder system could be implemented in a non-foldered arrangement801, as is the case when data sets are imported into Microsoft Streets and Trips or Microsoft MapPoint. This data set arrangement includes unique commands for setting the information display levels of POI's en masse, as shown in the dialog box802. The addition of non-deleteable “All”803and “Favorites”804selections within the data set area allows the above described information display level functions805to be applied to all the data sets at one time, or to the POI's which are marked as part of the Favorites set804.

As described withFIGS.2A and2B, maps are comprised of many different of layers. In one alternative, a travel or business map may include a non-updateable POI layer. Further, a travel or business map may allow the importing of a POI data set, where POI's can be selectably mapped. In both these cases, a find command may be used to search for particular POI's of interest. Certain implementations of the find function901, only allow one POI at a time to be selected for mapping, or to be previewed on the map. An example of this is shown inFIG.9A, where a search for White Castle restaurants was performed902. The resulting dialog box903only allows one listing to be selected (highlighted) at a time904, while the map shows a preview of the location905. When the OK button906is pressed, a pushpin (marker) is placed on the map and the dialog box903is closed, ending the search. To view more than one location on the map at a time, or to create a set of all the White Castles in a particular area, the above process would have to be repeated multiple times for each listed POI907.

FIG.9Bshows a Find function in which the results of a White Castle search are listed in a dialog box908, accompanied by a check box909in front of each listing. This allows more than on POI at a time to be selected for viewing on the map, without having to perform the same search repeatedly. Also provided are Check All910and Uncheck All911buttons to improve efficiencies in selecting listings. Using this technique, all the selected listings will be shown in the map at the same time. In one embodiment, these selected or captured listings can be brought into the personalized file folder scheme as a new data set.

If it is the intent or desire of the user to just select the one, most appropriate POI, as opposed to creating and adding a new data set to the personalized file folder scheme, the Check All button910can be used to splash all the listing on the map, whether applicable or not, for location viewing. In many cases, the most appropriate or desirable POI is the closest to a particular location. In this case, it is more effective to view and select from all the potential candidates while they are on the map, rather than from a sorted listing912. Again if it was the intent to just select one, most appropriate POI, it could then be added to the Favorites folder607or moved to a personalized folder using the Move to Folder command423shown in the dialog box ofFIG.4, while deleting the rest of the newly mapped data.

In this description, the terms “geographic coordinates,” “geo-coordinates,” and “geocodes” are used interchangeably to refer broadly to any approach for encoding a geographical location in a data representation that can be manipulated by a computer. One example of geo-coordinates is a pair consisting of a latitude value and a longitude value. However, alternative embodiments may use any appropriate coding system, or any suitable coordinate system that is based on any desired point of origin.

A variety of symbols or icons are used to mark POI's on a map. When these symbols or icons are mapped to a particular location, a geocoded address for example, in past approaches the symbols generally have been center-located over the geo-coordinates. For some pushpin and flag symbols, the end of the pin, or bottom of the flag pole, is located at the geo-coordinate. Often when more than one POI is mapped to the same location or same address, the symbols stack-up or overlay, often only allowing only one symbol to be seen, while hiding the others. This occurs when the symbols share the same shape or outline, or when a larger symbol is at the top of the stack.FIG.10shows an example of a set of icons sharing the same outline. For example, it is fairly common for a hotel, restaurant and bar to share the same street address, or for a golf facility to have multiple golf courses, or for many or all the stores and restaurants in a shopping mall to have the same street address.

To address this problem, multi-part or complementary symbols are used in one embodiment. These symbols allow multiple POI's with the same address or geo-location to be both viewed and selected. In the case of golf courses, for example, primary and secondary symbols are used.

Referring toFIG.11, the flag1101, shown inFIG.11A, is the primary symbol, which appears with any golf facility. If the facility has more than one course, secondary symbols1103are used to form the various symbol configurations1102shown inFIGS.11B,11C, and11D.

FIG.11Eillustrates how these symbol configurations are made up of independently selectable elements1103. The user can visually determine how many courses are located at the facility, in this example up to four, and independently select any element1103to open the qualitative information box or balloon1104for each course. In the case of multiple golf courses at the same facility, they more than likely all share the same basic telephone book information1105, i.e. address and phone number, but have different slopes, ratings, yardages, etc. as indicated by reference numeral1106.

FIG.11Fshows two additional symbols which were added to complement the group of golf courses at a golf facility. The symbol on the lower left1107indicates the course is listed in a particular golf discount book program, which is very similar to the more familiar “Entertainment” book program, except it focuses on golf courses. The symbol in the lower right1108indicates the course is participating the Golf Card program, which also offers golf discounts to card members. In the preferred embodiment, all six of these symbols can be mapped to the exact same geo-coordinate, while remaining visible and selectable.FIG.11Nshows a mapped example of a golf facility with three golf courses that also participates in one discount program1110.

The offset mapping of symbols can be accomplished in a variety of ways. One such method is to offset the drawn symbol to an edge or corner of an oversized bit-mapped image frame1109. Then as the symbol frames1109are center located (registered) to the geo-coordinate, the icons will appear around the center point.FIG.11H-11Mshow how the six complementary symbols appearing inFIG.11Fwere created within the same frame size, indicated by the dashed lines.

Another example includes the mapping of the “Entertainment” books, which offer discounts for restaurants, sporting events, accommodations, movie tickets, etc. These discount book and discount card program examples show how information which is related or associated with a POI can be mapped and maintained independently of the information appearing within the POI information box1104, and how additional complementary symbols1107,1108can be used to indicate the existence of something special or unique at the POI site. The application of this approach, however, is not limited to discount programs and could easily apply, for example, to booking reservations for hotel accommodations, golf tee times, tickets to an event, or travel/vacation packages, or to purchasing other items or merchandise, or to indicating participation in AAA or AARP discount programs, or to the locating of a golf instructor with his own information profile.

While these discount programs or “POI associated programs” may not be POI's in themselves, in one embodiment they are mapped to the same location as the primary POI, and they may be downloaded from the same centralized POI database102by the user. However, since the information boxes associated with these symbols contain information supplemental to the POI, they need not contain the standard telephone book information1105(address and phone number) of the POI. In the example shown inFIG.11N, clicking on a POI associated program symbol1110reveals the details of the program1111, in this case, it includes the discount offered at the golf course1112. However, in most of the applications and processes, the “POI associated programs” are operated upon and treated the same as the POI's, and therefore, in cases where no differentiation is made, they should be assumed to be included as part of the POI's.

FIG.12shows how complementary symbols can be made by adding pointing pins1201to the descriptive or framed symbols shown inFIG.10. As with pushpins, the end of the pin1202on these symbols is located to the geo-coordinate, allowing multiple POI's having the same location to be simultaneously viewed on the map, as shown inFIG.12F. If for example, all restaurant symbols1203were assigned a left descending pin (FIG.12B), all hotel symbols1204a right descending pin (FIG.12A), all bar symbols1205a right ascending pin (FIG.12C), and all shopping location symbols1206a left ascending pin (FIG.12D), the user can visually determine whether a hotel had a bar, a restaurant, or shopping available.

Unlike, the primary/secondary symbol arrangement described inFIG.11, where secondary symbols are somewhat dependent upon the presence of a primary symbol, any of these complementary symbols shown inFIG.12are also independently or individually mappable. This symbol pinning technique can be applied to commonly associated or commonly located POI's, for example, for gas stations and service stations. Configurations having more than four elements can also be developed.FIG.12Gshows an example where information on discounts found in the “Entertainment” book can be mapped as a complementary symbol to the hotels1204, restaurants1203and bars1205, allowing the user to quickly see where discounts are offered and easily obtain details by clicking on the “Entertainment” book symbol1207.

FIG.13shows a flowchart of an example process to capture POI information from a party. In this context, the terms “party” and “manager” broadly refer to anyone who is authorized to create or modify POI information or a POI location, or who has the knowledge and trustworthiness appropriate to create or modify POI information or a POI location. For example, a party or manager may be the business contact, owner or manager of a POI104, an authorized individual associated with the owner or manager, etc. Upon entering the website at step1301, the party selects whether a new listing is to be created or an existing listing is to be revised at step1302. Following the Add a New Listing path1303on the flowchart, business contact information is gathered at step1304; the information may include, for example, name, title, phone number(s), email address, mailing address, etc. Then a business category is selected from a listing of industry classifications and currently available POI data sets at step1305. In cases where the business entity was previously solicited to sign up for the POI listing service, the solicitation ID number previously forwarded to the party is entered to identify the appropriate business category, and/or to retrieve any already entered and available data on the POI.

Based on this business category selection, appropriate data entry forms specific to the business category are retrieved from a database at step1306. This offers two advantages. First, it allows information specific to the business to be collected. For example, yardage, slopes, ratings, will be gathered for golf course listings, while tasting-related information will be gathered from wineries. Second, this allows heightened use of drop-down list boxes to improve accuracy and consistency of the collected data.

Data entry forms are used to collect consumer-oriented, qualitative information on the POI at step1308. This is information that will be shared with the public, appearing in the POI information boxes on the map. For any entered street addresses, a map of the entered location is presented for location verification. The party is allowed to move the POI marker to the correct or desired spot on the map, by navigating to the location using commonly available map navigation controls.

In various alternatives, POI markers can be dragged and dropped, or the exact location of the POI can be double-clicked on. Instructions on how to move the marker, and suggestions on where to place it may be provided. In the case of golf courses, for example, it is suggested to the party to place the POI marker at the entrance or driveway of the property, rather than at the center of the property or at some internal location that may not be obvious how to reach.

Once located, the geo-coordinates of the POI location are computed automatically and stored.

In one embodiment, the party is also asked whether passing through a gated entrance is required to gain entry to the POI. This is the case, for example, with some military facilities and gated communities, where the golf courses are located in the middle of a gated complex, and entry through a specific gate is required. If this is the case, the party is presented with a map on which to identify the specific location of the entry gate(s), using a process similar to that used to confirm the location of the POI. Geo-coordinates for the entry gate(s) are then stored with the record.

With the storing of a geo-coordinate for each location, the “address” itself does not need to be a complete street addresses; i.e. street number, street, city, state, zip code, but instead can be more of a descriptive address. For example in the case of a Starbuck's location at an airport, it may be “Across from Gate A 5”, or “Just inside West entrance” for a Starbuck's location at a shopping mall. Not all POI locations are best described and located by a street address. In the preferred embodiment, the business contact (POI manager), for example, will be able to manually locate the POI marker to a more representative location.FIG.14Ashows examples of two POI's, Starbuck's1401and Orange Julius1402, which have been moved to a more representative location within the outline of a shopping mall1403. They were both originally mapped near the “X” on Saratoga Ave1404.FIG.14Bshows where an Internet, map-based search engine1405has located these same two POI's.

FIG.15Ashows another example of POI's which are not best represented by a street address. Two Starbuck's coffee shops1501,1502and a Togo's restaurant1503have been manually located within the outline of an airport terminal's buildings1504,1505. The information boxes1506contain descriptive locations, which are better suited for airport travelers. The street address mapping of these POI's had them stacked-up at 1661 Airport Blvd., as represented by the Togo's markers1507in the travel mapping program ofFIG.15A, and the Internet-based map inFIG.15B. In the preferred embodiment, a Map Address dialog box1601, as shown inFIG.16, is used to verify the entered address1602and mapped location1603of the POI. The party can revise the entered address and/or move the marker to a more representative location. In the case of the Togo's example used inFIG.15A, a descriptive location address is entered, “Across from Gate C 6”1508, after moving the marker1603,1503to a location within the airport terminal building boundaries1505. If additional navigation controls are required to reposition the marker, zooming in or out for example, the party can option to go to the full map program with the Go To Full Map button1604.

The ability to draw shapes (boxes, circles, polygons, etc.) is a function of some travel or business map programs and on GIS programs. For example, the outline of the shopping mall1403inFIG.14A, and the outlines of the two airport terminals1504,1505inFIG.15A, could be drawn with drawing tools available in Microsoft Streets and Trips travel program. Any drawn shapes then can be registered to the common geo-coordinate system201described withFIGS.2A and2B, so they can be imported into and used in other mapping application programs.

In one embodiment, the Full Map Program is accessed by selecting the Go To Full Map button1604shown onFIG.16, which provides the user with a drawing toolbar (not shown) and the ability to draw on the Internet-based map1605. In cases where the party desires to locate a POI within, or with reference to, a building, a shopping mall or an airport terminal for example, and the building is not shown on the map, the party can elect to draw in details of a structure. The Full Map program provides the party with drawing tools and the ability of overlaying an aerial photograph. The party can choose to draw in a building with or without the aerial photograph. The aerial photograph, however, provides additional reference points and may contain a photograph of the building itself which can be traced over. Once the structure is drawn, the aerial overlay is removed, and the party can proceed to position the POI in an appropriate location with respect to the newly drawn building. The shape files for the buildings, which are drawn by the POI business contacts, are stored and are integrated into the mapping application, either as an updateable map layer download116, or as part of the main mapping application program software1803.

Referring again toFIG.13, advertising oriented information is then collected1309, for display in the information boxes. The “Info”, “Spec”, and “March 28” fields316in the Picchetti Winery box301, shown inFIG.3A, are examples of entered advertising information for POI's. In this step of the process1309, as it applies to the placing of classified ads which are to be downloaded to the map325, classified advertisers would enter descriptions of items being sold.

Still referring toFIG.13, data is also gathered on the commercially-oriented business information1310, for example, names and contact information of the primary personnel (owner, buyer, general manager, etc.), the size of the business (number of employees, sales volumes, etc.), the facility type (privately owned, branch, franchise, etc.), the number of years in business, etc. These forms may be specific to the business category, and in the case of golf courses, for example,—the forms may include requesting the names and contact information for the General Manager, Head Golf Professional, Greens Superintendent, Pro Shop Manager, the number of rounds played annually, number of rounds played per month in peak season, etc. and the address of the business office. If the business office location is different from that of the POI, which for example occurs when the wine tasting room is off-site from the main winery, a map of the entered business office is presented for location verification and correction, as described above. As with the POI location, geo-coordinates for the commercially oriented business office are stored.

At the end of the data collection process, all collected information, including maps of all the locations, is presented for review and editing1311. Review and editing are followed by a billing and payment process1312.

The Change Existing Listing path1314near the top ofFIG.13, starts with a business contact verification step1315, followed by any changes or updates to the business contact1316. This is followed by a retrieval of the set of the latest, filled-in data collection forms that were used to first create the POI listing, as described in the Add a New Listing path1303. The existing data is presented for review and updating by the business contact1317. This includes the relocating of any map location markers1311.

The order in which the various types of information are gathered in the process outlined inFIG.13is not critical.

A portion of the processes inFIG.13are also used by the managers of “POI associated program” businesses to enter or update details on their program for each POI with a few variations. The “POI associated program” manager selects and identifies each participating POI to which an association will be established from the centralized POI database listings103. Since the geo-locations of the POI's are controlled (positioned) by the POI managers, the geo-coordinates assigned to each “POI associated program” record are linked to the POI database records. The geo-coordinates downloaded with the “POI associated program” records are extracted from the POI records, ensuring that both are located to the same geo-coordinates on the map. It should be noted, that in some cases, the POI manager and the “POI associated program” manager can be one and the same. For example, golf instructors working out of a golf course, may have their own information profile containing for example, lesson rates, a personal email address or phone number, areas of specialization, etc., and may also be the person responsible for maintaining the course information appearing on the map.

FIG.17shows a flowchart of the processes for downloading POI information from a centralized, Internet-based website102to a mapping program106with updateable POI layers101. Upon entering the website at step1701, the user is identified at step1702as either an existing user at step1704, that is someone who has previously visited the website and has registered their mapping application software, or a new user at step1703. New users at step1703are required to establish a user ID and Password at step1705, and register their mapping application software at step1706. The new users at step1703may have purchased the mapping program software prior to visiting the website, and the purpose of their visit may be to register the software at step1706and to obtain their first free update of the data sets that are resident on the purchased software. The data set or sets that are resident on the purchased software, golf courses in the US or wineries in California, for example, serves to establish a base user profile at step1709. In the case where the user has not yet purchased one of these “starter CD's” containing the basic mapping application program106and a resident updateable data set, he can do so by placing one in his shopping cart, as part of the registration process.

New users, and existing users who have completed the user verification process at step1708, are presented with an overview of the data sets and geographic areas in their current user profile. At this point they can choose to either proceed to download updates for their current data set selections at step1715, or choose to add to, revise or renew subscriptions, or just browse the available POI data sets, by selecting the Add New or Browse Data Sets path at step1711, or choose the “On-Demand” location specific retrieval path at step1719aimed at users with computing devices with limited memory space.

Users selecting the Add New or Browse Data Sets path at step1711are presented a listing of available data set selections in a folder format similar to that used in the Folder List column304of the mapping application, shown inFIGS.3,4and6, where folders are expandable to reveal lower level data set selections, and check boxes619are used to select the desired data sets at step1713. With each data set selection, a geographic area at step1714is also selected. Users can select these geographic areas by country, state, zip code, city, area code, or by a radius around a point location, or by a custom defined area (polygon), or by combinations of these.

The combinations of data sets and territorial coverage for each make up the user profile105. For example, a user profile105might be comprised of, public golf courses in North America, wineries in California and Washington, Starbuck's in the US, a particular golf discount program, five-star restaurants within 25 miles of downtown Chicago, and hardware, auto parts and liquor stores within a 15 mile radius of a particular address.

A map1604is displayed to draw the boundaries of any custom drawn geographic areas, and/or to confirm the center point address locations of any scribed areas by radius, using processes described above withFIG.16. Users can access the Full Map Program by selecting the Go To Full Map button1604shown onFIG.16, to use the map drawing tools to identify a geographic area for a particular selected data set.

During the process of browsing the data sets for selection or renewal1711, any existing data set selections (old profile) may be presented for modification1712. In cases where the user has opted to decrease the geographic coverage for a particular data set, or where a data set is not being renewed, the user may be asked whether the previously downloaded POI's, which are not being updated, should be removed from the existing map. The user can choose to either keep or delete them.

Once the POI data set selection process is completed, the user's profile is updated at step1716and payment is collected for any additional charges at step1717, and the selected data sets, and any associated databases and database header updates, are downloaded at step1718for installation into the mapping program106. The download includes any necessary updates to the building structures (airport terminals, shopping malls, strip malls, etc.) layer.

While this description of an embodiment has organized most of the POI's for downloading into business category listings, this is an example and should not be construed as a limitation. POI's on garage sales, festivals and shows, and discount card or coupon book programs already do not fall into the business category scheme, and it is anticipated that POI's will be available as downloadable data sets in other organized selection categories, for example by city, where a user planning to visit a particular city could select to download all available tourist related POI's for a particular city or area, including, for example, museums, nightclubs, sightseeing tours, casinos, spas, theme parks, theaters, galleries, etc. As another example, POI's may be grouped or bundled for downloading by interest, for example, camp sites, RV areas, hiking trails, and parks (national and state).

The process for downloading the commercially oriented POI data sets may use the foregoing process, with some minor detail variations, such as verifying user eligibility to access confidential information.

Table 1 shows an overview of the data fields and types of data fields associated with each POI.

TABLE 1POI Data Record FieldsItemField DescriptionCommentABusiness Category, MainUpper portion of the RIN key fieldBBusiness Category, SubMiddle portion of the RIN key fieldCSequential ID NumberLower portion of the RIN key fieldDBasic Contact Data FieldsEQualitative InformationData FieldsFGeo-coordinatesGDate StampHDefault SymbolIdentifies records shown withAssignmentsecondary symbolsISecondary RecordJRemove RecordAssigned at reconfiguration of userprofileKUser Symbol AssignmentAssigned by userLPOI Folder AssignmentAssigned by userMFavorite Record FolderAssigned by userAssignment

The Record Identification Number (RIN) is the primary or key field, and is formed by combining the Main Business Category (code number), the Sub Business Category (code number) and the Sequential ID number in an A-B-C format. This number is unique for every POI. The Basic Contact data fields include the standard telephone book type information; i.e. name, address and telephone number, as described previously. The Qualitative Information data fields can be unique to each Main Business Category and Sub Business Category combination (A-B combination). The Geo-coordinate fields contain confirmed latitude and longitude related readings. The Date Stamp is used to identify the most current of two records having the same RIN. A Default Symbol (POI icon marker) is assigned to each POI's Business Category and Sub Business Category combination. The Secondary Record is a one bit field indicating the record is associated with a primary record, and is to be displayed with a secondary symbol (marker)1103,1107,1108as described withFIG.11.

The Remove Record field is a one bit field and is used to identify obsolete POI records or records to be removed from the user's map database. The fields identified by items A-J in Table 1 are downloaded from the centralized Internet POI database102and are processed by the POI Inbox Organizer1801, shown inFIG.18. The last three fields in Table 1, K-M, are assigned by the user, and reside in the Map Database1802, shown inFIG.18. If the user had selected a different symbol (marker)702to represent a particular data set, as described withFIG.7A, the new symbol assignment (code) resides in the User Symbol Assignment field (K). The folder assignment is captured (L) as are any Favorite Record folder assignments (M).

Referring toFIG.18and Table 1, the new downloaded POI records are matched against existing (old) POI records in the Map Database1802by using the RIN. Data in the user assigned fields (K-M) of records with matching RIN's, are transferred to the new record, before the old record is deleted. New records, without a complete RIN match, are checked for a Business Category and/or Sub Business Category combination (A-B or A) matches against records already residing in the Map database1802. Where matches are found, data in the User Symbol Assignment and POI Folder Assignment (K,L) fields are copied into these fields on the new records.

For example, if all of the old (or newly updated) records with the same A value, have the same symbol or folder assignment, then any new records with the same A value will be assigned the same symbol or folder assignments, respectively. New records not receiving a custom folder assignment are placed in (assigned to) the POI Inbox folder (default folder). The updated POI records are stored in the Map Database1802with the file folder data, layer assignments, etc. In an embodiment, the Map Database1802is relational database. Table 1 is presented as a flat file as an example to clearly present the data associations and relationships. The Sub Business Category (B) can itself employ a multi-tiered, hierarchical scheme to identify the sets, sub-sets and sub-sub-sets, etc. of various categories of POI's. For example, golf, golf courses, golf courses private, or restaurants, fast-food restaurants, McDonalds. Therefore, the specific arrangement of Table 1 is not required.

Additional data is downloaded from the centralized Internet POI Database102, in conjunction with the POI record data identified in Table 1, as part of the data update process. Such data may include POI default Symbols (icon markers) for any selected data sets which are not already resident on the map program106. For example, these might be new symbols for data sets newly added to the Centralized POI database102. The additional downloaded data may include required updates to the field heading information for the Qualitative Information Data Fields (Table 1, Item E) for any selected data sets which were revised since the last update. For example, if any new fields were added to the qualitative information data (E) since the last update, then new heading, data type and data format information is also sent.

The additional data also may include information for displaying Global Advertisements322described inFIG.3B. This includes the advertisement display pages, linking information, button nomenclature and symbols, and the Business Category assignments (Table 1, Item A, B) for any associated POI data sets which were selected for downloading. As described withFIG.3B, the global advertising buttons317are displayed in conjunction with the active POI data set, therefore the global advertising information includes Business Category (A, B) assignments (relationships). Other additional downloaded data includes the building structures (airport terminals, shopping malls, strip malls, etc.) shape files.

As shown inFIG.18, contact data can be shared between the mapping program106and a contact management program1804using the import/export functions of the mapping program1805or contact management program1806. Table 2 shows a typical list of contact record fields.

TABLE 2Contact Management Application Data FieldsContact FieldsData ExampleTitleFirstNameJohnLastNameDoeCompanyAcme Div GM AutomotiveDepartmentJobTitleDirector of PurchasingBusinessStreetGM Tech CenterBusinessStreet2MC 555-204-001BusinessStreet330501 Van Dyke AvenueBusinessCityWarrenBusinessStateMIBusinessPostalCode48090BusinessCountryUnited States of AmericaLatitude42.51792Longitude−83.03566Matched toConfirmed LocationDate StampFeb. 28, 2004HomeStreet1234 University DrHomeStreet2HomeStreet3HomeCityPontiacHomeStateMIHomePostalCode48342HomeCountryUnited States of AmericaLatitude42.65861Longitude−83.2561Matched toStreet AddressData StampFeb. 28, 2004BusinessFaxBusinessPhone(555) 555-1234BusinessPhone2CarPhoneCompanyMainPhoneHomeFaxHomePhone(555) 555-5678HomePhone2MobilePhone(555) 555-9101OtherPhonePagerPrimaryPhoneEmailAddressjohndoe@aol. comEmailDisplayNameJohn Doe (johndoe@aol.com)Email2AddressEmail2DisplayNameEmail3AddressEmail3DisplayNameLocationNotesGM Tech Center, MC 555-204-001POBoxSpouseBarbara

In this example, non-bolded fields are available from Microsoft's Outlook program. The bolded fields; Latitude, Longitude, Matched to, and Date Stamp, however, are unique to any currently available contact management application program. In an embodiment, these fields are added to the contact records in the contact management application program1804, however, benefits can still be realized without adding these fields to the contact management application software, as will be explained.

As contact records without stored geo-coordinates are imported into the mapping program, their addresses are geo-coded to the map, and the matching status is captured by the mapping program106. Table 3 shows a list of possible Matched to status values or states.

TABLE 3“Matched To” Field Options“Matched to” StatusDescriptionStreet AddressMatched to Street within Street Number BlockStreetMatched to somewhere on the StreetCityMatched to geo-center of CityZip CodeMatched to geo-center of Zip CodeStateMatched to geo-center of StateCountryMatched to geo-center of CountryConfirmed LocationManually located to correct locationApprox LocationManually located to approximate locationAreaManually located to general areaManualManually located accuracy unknownSkippedMatching attempted, no option selectedUnmatchedMatching not attempted

The non-bolded status values are typically found in commonly available business or travel mapping programs such as Microsoft's MapPoint or Microsoft's Streets and Trips programs. As an address is geo-coded, it can be mapped to a street address, or a street, or a zip code, etc. based on the effectiveness or completeness of the Address Coding Guide (ACG) of the mapping program. As described in the background section above, an ACG consists of sets of files that provide city, state, and zip code data needed to locate addresses. It also contains street segment information that includes the street name and starting and ending house number for both odd and even numbered sides of the street. The ACG also contains information designed to compensate for the fact that addresses, address abbreviations, locality names, and so on, have many variations, and that some streets may be referenced by more than one name. It generally contains a spell correction program to fixes errors such as one letter differences, extra spaces, missing spaces, transposed characters, etc. The ACG also incorporates an address-match strategy which can be set from aggressive to conservative.

As each address is geo-coded, the map program either makes the match entirely on its own, recording the “matched to” status, or it offers various map choices to the user when a single best acceptable match can not be found, which also occurs when the ACG is not able to discern between multiple matches of near equal acceptability. The user choices may include matching the address to one of a number of complete street addresses, or streets, or cities (and state), or a zip code, etc.

In one embodiment, the user is given the option of moving the push-pin manually after selecting one of the presented choices, with an operation similar to that described above withFIG.16. If the marker is moved, the user is requested to record the relative accuracy of the selected location by choosing one of the “manually located” selections in Table 3, which includes the bolded selections (Confirmed Location, Approx Location, Area) and the “Manually located accuracy unknown” selection. In one embodiment, the default selection is Confirmed Location. The “matched to” status1901can then be selected to appear as one of the pieces of displayed information in the contact information box1902. Knowing how accurately a contact marker has been located on the map can be of particular benefit to a user who is planning to visit a contact person or business.

The date that each address is mapped is recorded in the Date Stamp field. A separate Latitude, Longitude, Matched to, and Date Stamp value is associated with each address in the contact's record, as shown in Table 2. If the contact marker is later relocated (moved on any particular map), the new location (geo-coordinates), “match to” status and date stamp fields are updated. As records are passed back and forth between the mapping program and the contact management program, the “matched to” and date stamp fields can be used to determine which set of geo-coordinates to retain.

FIG.19shows an example of a contact record. In the improved application, a Map Address button1904and Match To information box1901are added to the contact information display1902, allowing any entered address to be viewed on a map using the same dialog box1905as described inFIG.16. As a new contact record is created and an address is entered1906, the dialog box1905is displayed to confirm the location of the entered address. In the example shown inFIG.19, the address is mapped to the street address1907.

If acceptable, the user can press the OK button1908and the “matched to” status1901is recorded. If not, the user has the option of entering a different address and pressing the find button1909, or he can manually relocate the push-pin1903and select one of the “manual” matched to status's1910, or he can jump to a full map program1911having additional navigation controls and drawing functions. As mentioned above, in the preferred embodiment, the bolded fields, shown in Table 2, are added to the contact records in the contact management application program. Then, when contacts are imported to the map program, they are mapped using the geo-coordinates stored in the contact management record, rather than by geo-coding the address.

In the contact management program1804, when personally created contact record files are forwarded via email to other people, i.e., business associates, friends, etc., they would include the confirmed location, geo-coordinate fields (for example, Latitude, Longitude, Matched to, and Date Stamp). The person receiving the contact record would then not need to perform a geo-coding operation on the received address, as the “Matched to” information box would in indicate this as a Confirmed Location. Each person confirms the assignment of the geo-coordinates in his personal contact record before forwarding it to associates.

The method herein of including geo-coordinates, a “matched to” status and a date stamp is applicable to sales force automation and customer relationship management (CRM) types of application programs, in addition to the contact management programs1804, where several people in a workgroup share access to the same contact database1808. For example, a sales department taking a call from a potential customer over the phone, would enter the customers name and address into the centralized customer database. The address is then geo-coded, and the sales person can confirm with the customer that the mapped location is correct. If it is not, the push-pin marker can be moved on the map by the sales person as directed by the customer over the phone, as described inFIG.16. Then, when the contact's information is forwarded to a sales person to follow-up with the customer, the forwarded contact record would include the geo-coordinates, showing the customers exact, confirmed location. As another example, when the sales person visits the customer, he can verify and correct the customer's location by manually relocating the contact marker on his map. The new geo-coordinates are then forward back to, or synchronized with, the companies centralized customer database1808, along with the other customer contact call information.

The synchronization techniques employed by sophisticated sales force automation and customer relationship management programs utilize methods to ensure that the most recent data within these shared records is saved, so the date stamping of the geo-coordinates and “matched to” fields may not be applicable or needed in applications employing these more sophisticated synchronization techniques.

There will be cases where the contact management program1804may not be capable of storing the Latitude, Longitude, Matched to, and Date Stamp fields as part of the record data. In these cases, as contact records are again re-imported into the map program106after having been updated in the contact management application program1804, the imported records are matched against existing records in the map program by the primary or key fields of the contact record, before any address geo-coding is attempted. Data in the geo-coordinate, Matched to and Date Stamp fields of the records with matching primary or key fields are transferred to the newer downloaded record, before deleting the old contact record, retained in the Map Database1802. This process is similar to that described in Table 1, where user assigned fields K-M are retained or passed on to the new, updated POI's received by the map program. This averts having to re-geo-code the addresses of any previously imported records, while retaining any efforts spent earlier to correctly confirm their locations. Only the records which were not previously imported need to be address geo-coded.

In one embodiment, independent websites107, that is websites other than the Internet-based, centralized POI Database102, may make POI data sets available with confirmed geo-coordinate data for downloading in a format compatible with map programs106having an updateable map layer101. For example, independent websites107could include corporate websites providing locations of their stores, facilities or franchises, or it could include the results of an Internet, map-based search engine, like Yahoo Maps, MapQuest, or Superpages.com, for example.

In this embodiment, the POI locations information includes confirmed geo-coordinate data allowing these POI's to be mapped with improved accuracy and consistency, including places without street addresses, airport terminal gates for example. The mapping of POI's using confirmed geo-coordinates is not limited to downloading the POI data into a map program within a computing device, but applies also to positioning POI's on any Internet map-based search engine map. Today, the POI's found with these Internet map-based search engines are positioned on the Interned-based maps by geo-coding the street address. In one of the preferred embodiments, the POI's are positioned using the confirmed latitude and longitude coordinates, which are stored as part of the POI record data.

In another embodiment, the map itself, as viewed by the user on his computing device, is not be generated from one of the aforementioned search engine websites, but instead is called from a map program resident in the computing device. In this embodiment, the map itself, with all its thematic details, need not be part of the information communicated over the internet to the display (computing) device, as the map is already resident in the computing device. The display coordinates of the map (centering coordinates and scaling) are shared (synchronized) between the internet site and the computing device, while POI information is downloaded to the computing device with confirmed geo-coordinates for display and positioning on the map. As the map is navigated by the user, the display coordinates of the map (centering coordinates and scaling) are uploaded to the internet site, so that POI's within the boundaries of the map can be downloaded to the computing device. The downloaded POI's can then appear on the updateable map layer. This synchronized relationship saves bandwidth and speed when navigating the map by eliminating the need to download large raster images from the website, as the map is re-drawn by the computing device from commands sent by the internet site.

FIG.18, shows that the POI data sets from a Centralized Internet POI Database102or from Independent Websites107can just as easily be downloaded directly into a hand-held palm or pocket PC type computing device111, personal digital assistant (PDA), or to an in-vehicle navigation system110with updateable map layer(s). The computing device may be any type, portable or not. In the case of a computing device with a smaller display, like a PDA, palm device or telephone, it may not be possible to display both the entire Folder List column304with its POI selections and the actual map area showing the location of the POI's simultaneously. In this case, the user may need to alternate between displaying the data set selections and the map.

In the case of computing devices with limited memory,FIG.17includes an “On-Demand” path1719which provides for the download and display of a more limited number of POI's, based on a specific geographic area. In this scenario for example, the user may desire to locate the nearest restaurant or golf course, using a computing device in which he has not previously downloaded any POI records. This process is similar in part to other existing processes already in use for downloading POI information specific to a local radius, however in one embodiment, the downloaded POI's are those residing in the users profile105, and they additionally contain the aforementioned qualitative information, and pre-validated geo-coordinates.

After user verification at step1708, the “On-Demand” path1719presents the user with the POI file folder listings1720from his previously established user profile105. The user selects the folder or folders of interest1721. Information on the geographic area of interest is retrieved from the computing device1722. This can be a geo-coordinate or the center coordinate of a displayed map, and a radius based on the displayed map size or a default radius. The POI's then downloaded to the computing device are those that fall within the geographic boundaries and within the user's profile1723. This approach pre-qualifies and limits the number of POI's which then appear in the map and which the user must sort through.

FIG.18also shows that the POI data which is downloaded to a PC based computing device109can be shared with, or downloaded to, these same hand-held devices or an in-vehicle navigation system110,111. In this embodiment, the main map program1803with capabilities of handling updateable POI map layers, is already resident in the hand-held device or in-vehicle navigation system110,111, just as it is in a PC-based computing device106. One of the benefits of this configuration is that the PC-based device can act as a larger repository for the POI data sets1802, where memory space might be limited in the hand-held or in-vehicle navigation devices110,111. POI data sets are selectively downloaded from the PC-based device109based on user needs such as travel plans. To accomplish this, the user would select the POI's to be exported from the selections the Folder List304, mapping them temporarily, and then either selecting the export function1805on this program, or selecting the import function1807from the mapping program on the device that the POI's are to be sent to. The methods of exporting and importing of data between software applications is well known by those in the industry.

FIG.20shows an alternative embodiment that provides efficiency improvements in managing larger amounts of POI information.

In the embodiment ofFIG.20, command buttons to increase or decrease the information display level of the POI information boxes appear at the subfolder level within the Folder List after a POI folder is selected for display on the map. In one embodiment, a first [−] command button2001and a second [+] command button2002are provided. Selecting command buttons2001,2002causes the map to move or “ratchet” through the possible information display configurations of the information boxes for all POI's within that folder en masse, without the user having to open a dialog box604as described withFIG.6A.

The functionality provided by command buttons2001,2002is similar to that described withFIG.4. For example, clicking on either the [+] box414or [−] box416ratchets the information display configuration up or down to the next configuration respectively. In the embodiment ofFIG.20, such an operation is performed against all the POI's in the folder. For example, a first click of the [+] command button2002, after a POI folder is selected for display on the map, causes all POI's in the folder to be displayed with the Name Only information box, resulting in a display as depicted inFIG.6C.

As an example,FIG.6uses three levels of information display, with each showing an increasing amount of information. However, alternate embodiments may provide different kinds of information in different configurations or a different order. Thus, the command buttons2001,2002and boxes414,416need not move sequentially among levels and need not progressively increment or decrement the amount of information shown; they may simply select different configurations of any kind or order. Any number of information display configurations of different combinations of information can be created and ratcheted through in an order set by the number assigned to each configuration.

InFIG.20, the Mark as Favorite command420, previously described with reference toFIG.4, is implemented in the form of selection2003within an information box along with [−], [+], and [x] boxes. The [−], [+], and [x] boxes function as described above forFIG.4. This functionality allows any POI to be quickly marked as a favorite without the user having to open the dialog box403. In this variation of the embodiment, POI's that have been marked as favorites appear with a solid star symbol2004, and those that have not appear as an outline of a star2003, making it extremely easy to both identify and mark POI's as favorites.

In another variation of the embodiment, as shown inFIG.20, the Favorites folder2005resides outside the control of the main Points of Interest-All folder2006. This allows a user to close or collapse the main folder2006, while still being able to access and operate upon any POI's marked as favorites, such as POI's2007,2008,2009. In this embodiment, any folder containing a POI that was marked as a favorite also appears under the Favorites folder2005. This allows the user to display and control only the POI's that have been selected from the main body of POI's.

In another variation, also shown inFIG.20, the map tool bar2012contains a pair of controls to allow all the settable or controllable font sizes, which includes text appearing within the information boxes, and text used on the street map, to be increased or decreased. This functionality enables the user to avoid having to open a dialog box and drill down to a lower control level, which is often a three-click operation. In one embodiment, a large “A” with an up cursor2010causes the map system to ratchet the font size up a level, and the smaller “A” with an down cursor2011ratchets it down. The operation requires no selecting of any text or specific area of operation to be enacted upon. The operation is easily accessible as the controls are conveniently positioned on the map toolbar2012.

In another variation, map toolbar2012contains commands to temporarily hide any open information boxes, which block the viewing of the street information and POI symbols appearing on the map. This functionality is different from the previously described information level control commands or the information close function in that it only temporarily hides the information boxes to view the street map. POI symbols are still displayed on the map.

In an embodiment, the POI information box hide function has three states. One state shows all POI labels, a second state shows only labels for POI's marked as favorites, and a third state hides all labels, both for favorite and non-favorite POI's. Clicking on the hide labels icon2013causes the system to hide or remove all of the non-favorite POI information boxes from being displayed. At the same time, the hide labels icon2013is replaced by the pair of circled icons2014,2015.

From this state, the show all labels icon2014can be selected, which would return the map to the previous state, or the hide favorite labels icon2015can be selected, which would remove all the labels (information boxes) from being displayed on the map, and at the same time, replace the show all labels icon2014and hide favorite labels icon2015pair, with the show favorite labels icon2016. At this point, selecting the show favorite labels icon2016returns the map to the state just previously described.

In this context, the terms label, information box, and POI label, throughout this description, refer to POI information boxes, unless specifically described otherwise.

3. Extensions and Alternatives

In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments thereof. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.