System for interaction of navigation and connectivity programs and personal information management applications
A system and method for providing fluent interaction between connectivity applications, personal information management applications and navigation applications. The present invention enables a user to launch navigation application directly from a “Contacts” application. This invention also enables the same result to be achieved in reverse, enabling direct access from a navigation application to contact information, eliminating the need for the user to manually access and enter information.
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The present invention relates generally to the field of location-based services. More particularly, the present invention relates to the interaction of location based services and personal information management applications.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONLocation-based services and location-aware applications are becoming increasingly popular in the area of mobile devices such as cellular telephones. In particular, global systems for mobile communication and code division multiple access (CDMA) have become more accessible and popular with the general public in recent years. Currently, it is possible to use Bluetooth global positioning systems (GPS) with several cellular telephones, and a number of third party application developers are also currently developing applications in this area.
In addition to the above, a number of applications are available for aiding users in navigation and route planning. These applications use devices containing global positioning systems to define the exact location of a mobile device. Although these systems can be quite useful, the usage of location information needs to be easy and convenient for the user in order for the average consumer to become comfortable taking full advantage of the technology. For example, when a user opens contact information for a person or a location, there needs to be a simple and straightforward system for the user to initiate the navigation process (including the accessing of digital map content) towards the particular contact. Currently, however, to complete the navigation process, the user must write down or copy the location information of the contact, initiate the navigation application, and enter the address manually before navigation could begin. Additionally, if the user begins with the navigation program, the user must manually enter the desired address before navigation is possible.
Furthermore, currently there is virtually no existing interaction between navigation applications and personal information management and connectivity applications. As a result, a user is required to first save the received landmark to a database, start the navigation application, and then locate the saved landmark from the database before navigation can be initiated.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention addresses the above problems by providing a system wherein navigation applications are able to quickly and easily interact with personal information management and connectivity applications. The present invention permits a user to seamlessly move from finding a contact to entering a navigation application and vice versa without the difficulties described above. The system and method of the present invention therefore eliminate the need for the user to take multiple steps to initiate the navigation process, as well as eliminating the need to manually save and transfer contact information to a navigation program. These benefits greatly reduce the complexity involved in using such programs, providing improved access to such programs by a wide variety of end users. According to the principles of the present invention, a system and method is introduced for enabling the fluent interaction between connectivity and personal information management applications and navigation applications (including map content programs). The user of an electronic device is capable of launching a navigation application straight from a personal information management program. In other words, the user can start to navigate towards a currently highlighted contact. This principle also works in reverse, so that there is an access mechanism from the navigation application to contact information, so that the user does not have to manually enter an address before navigation is possible. Instead, the user can launch the personal information management program search the correct contact from there. Additionally, when a user receives location information (e.g. landmarks) from different sources, the user can quickly and easily start navigation straight from an inbox where received messages are stored.
These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention, together with the organization and manner of operation thereof, will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements have like numerals throughout the several drawings described below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention comprises a system and method for automatically associating navigation, personal information management, and connectivity applications to provide a simple method for initiating navigation functions in an electronic device.
The memory unit 130 includes a connectivity program 140, a personal information management program 150 and a navigation program 160, all of which are operatively connected to each other to permit the interaction of the various programs. The connectivity program 140 permits the electronic device 100 to receive information from a remote location 110 through the use of a data communication link 170. The navigation program 160 is used to aid the user in tracking and directing the user to the remote location 110 once the remote location 110 has been identified. The personal information management program 150 can take a variety of forms. For example, the personal information management program 150 can include a system for managing a person's personal contacts, including protocols for a contact's electronic devices. The personal information management program 150 can also include a personal messaging system, such as an electronic mail system. All of the programming necessary to implement the present invention can be stored as computer program code within the memory unit 130.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the navigation process is initiated as follows. As shown in
A second embodiment of the invention is depicted in
The present invention also permits the substantially simultaneous interaction between the navigation program 160 and the personal information management program 150 while in transit. This system is depicted in
Furthermore, the present application allows a user to receive location information and immediately use it for navigation purposes. This process is depicted in
Implementation of the present invention results in a number of distinct advantages over conventional systems having completely independent navigation and personal information management programs 150. The present invention makes it is easier for a user of a mobile device to use location information for navigation. When location information is attached to existing applications, it is easier for manufacturers to introduce the new technology on a wide scale without requiring substantial learning by the end users.
While preferred embodiments have been shown and described herein, it should be understood that changes and modifications can be made to the invention without departing from the invention in its broader aspects. For example, but without limitation, contact information could be obtained from a wide variety of personal information management programs 150, including, but not limited to, messaging systems, address books, and other applications. Additionally many of the steps described above could be combined and/or modified in various embodiments of the invention. Various features of the invention are defined in the following Claims.
Claims
1. An electronic device, comprising:
- a processor; and
- a memory unit operatively connected to the processor and including: a navigation program for directing a user of the device to a remote location, a personal information management program, and an input association mechanism operatively connected to the navigation program and the personal information management program,
- wherein actuation of the input association mechanism automatically associates the personal information management program with the navigation program.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein the input mechanism is built into the navigation program.
3. The device of claim 1, wherein the input mechanism is built into the personal information management program.
4. The device of claim 1, wherein the input mechanism is built into the personal information management program, and wherein actuation of the input mechanism automatically enters the remote location into the navigation program.
5. The device of claim 1, wherein the input mechanism is built into the navigation program, and wherein actuation of the input mechanism automatically opens the personal information management program to permit designation of the remote location.
6. The device of claim 1, wherein the input mechanism is accessible via a computer icon.
7. The device of claim 1, wherein the input mechanism is accessible via an option in a drop-down program menu.
8. The device of claim 1, further comprising a data communication link operatively connected to the processor, the data communication link gathering landmark location information, and wherein actuation of the input mechanism automatically enters the landmark location information into the navigation program.
9. The device of claim 1, wherein the remote location is automatically entered into the navigation program when the device enters within a designated range of the remote location.
10. The device of claim 1, wherein the personal information management program comprises a messaging program.
11. The device of claim 1, wherein the memory unit further includes a connectivity program enabling the transmittal of information to the navigation program.
12. A method for implementing a navigation program, comprising the steps of:
- providing a personal information management program;
- accessing contact information for a remote location; and
- instructing the personal information management system to transfer the contact information to the navigation program.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the personal information management program comprises a messaging system.
14. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of instructing the personal information management system includes actuating a computer icon.
15. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of instructing the personal information management system includes actuating an option in a drop-down program menu.
16. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of actuating an input mechanism operatively connected to the navigation program, and wherein the actuation of the input mechanism directs the user to the contact information.
17. The method of claim 12, further comprising the steps of:
- receiving landmark information from a remote terminal through a connectivity program; and
- automatically entering the landmark location information into navigation program.
18. A computer program product for use with an electronic device, comprising:
- a navigation program;
- a personal information management program, including information concerning a remote location;
- computer code for providing an input mechanism operatively connected to the navigation program and the personal information management program; and
- computer code for automatically associating the personal information management program with the navigation program upon actuation of the input mechanism.
19. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the input mechanism is accessible via a computer icon.
20. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the input mechanism is accessible via an option in a drop-down program menu.
21. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the input mechanism is built into the personal information management program, and wherein actuation of the input mechanism automatically enters the remote location into the navigation program.
22. The computer program product of claim 17, wherein the input mechanism is built into the navigation program, and wherein actuation of the input mechanism automatically opens the personal information management program to permit designation of the remote location.
23. The computer program product of claim 17, further comprising computer code for automatically entering information concerning a landmark into the navigation program when the device enters within a designated range of the landmark.
24. The computer program product of claim 17, further comprising a connectivity program for transmitting information from the remote location to the navigation program.
25. A module for use with an electronic device, comprising:
- a memory unit for storing information and including: a connectivity program for transmitting information from a remote location; a navigation program for directing a user of the device to the remote location; a personal information management program; and an input association mechanism operatively connected to the navigation program and the personal information management program,
- wherein actuation of the input association mechanism automatically associates the personal information management program with the navigation program.
26. The module of claim 25, wherein the remote location is automatically entered into the navigation program when the device enters within a designated range of the remote location.
27. The module of claim 25, wherein the personal information management program comprises a messaging program.
28. The module of claim 25, wherein the input mechanism is built into the navigation program, and wherein actuation of the input mechanism automatically opens the personal information management program to permit designation of the remote location.
29. The module of claim 25, wherein the input mechanism is built into the navigation program.
30. The module of claim 25, wherein the input mechanism is built into the personal information management program.
31. The module of claim 25, wherein the connectivity program transmits landmark location information, and wherein actuation of the input mechanism automatically enters the landmark location information into the navigation program.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 28, 2004
Publication Date: Apr 6, 2006
Applicant:
Inventors: Jouni Saarinen (Tikkakoski), Matti Seppa (Jyvaskyla), Pasi Kaipainen (Jyvaskyla), Kimmo Kinnunen (Aanekoski)
Application Number: 10/952,195
International Classification: G01C 22/00 (20060101);