GEOGRAPHIC IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM
Geographic identification systems and methods of displaying geographic locations on maps and providing related location based services in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. One embodiment includes a GEOID server configured to communicate with a database containing GEOIDs, where each GEOID comprises a label and geographic information. In addition, the GEOID server is configured to communicate with a mapping server via a network, the GEOID server is configured to communicate with a plurality of user devices via the network, the GEOID server is configured to store GEOIDs in the database in response to information received from user devices via the network, the GEOID server is configured to retrieve geographic information in response to GEOID labels received from user devices via the Internet, and the GEOID server is configured to cause the display of a map provided by a mapping server on a user device, where the map indicates at least one location associated with the geographic information retrieved by the GEOID server in response to the GEOID label received from the user device.
The current application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional. Application No. 61/224,786, entitled “Geographic Identification System”, filed Jul. 10, 2010, and to U.S. Provisional. Application No. 61/293,671, entitled “Geographic Identification System for Mobile Destinations” filed Jan. 10, 2010, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to mapping services and more specifically to the manner in which mapping services identify geographic locations.
BACKGROUNDWeb mapping services and applications, such as the Google Maps service provided by Google, Inc. of Mountain View, Calif., power various web sites such as the Google Maps website and other web sites and mobile applications that access the mapping service via Application Programming Interfaces (APIs). Such mapping services are extremely popular in the provision of navigation and location based services to users of desktop computers, laptop computers, mobile devices, and other Internet connected consumer electronic devices. The ability to access mapping services via mobile devices has resulted in mobile devices commonly being used while driving for navigation purposes. While many devices include audio turn-by-turn directions to limit the extent to which a driver is distracted while using the device, the input of information into the device while driving is cumbersome and can distract a driver's attention from the operation of the vehicle. The problem of distracted attention can be particularly acute when a driver is entering a street address, which can include a street name, street number, city, state and/or zip code. Furthermore, mapping services often include unreliable information. Therefore, entry of an address can occasionally lead to wrong positioning and incorrect navigation information.
Even when the operator of a mobile device is not driving, entering an address into a mobile device can be cumbersome and frustrating due to the inherent limitations of the user interface of the device. One solution is to access the address on a device with a more sophisticated user interface such as a personal computer and then to send a link to the address to the mobile device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONGeographic identification systems and methods for efficiently representing geographic locations for retrieval by mapping services are described. Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention address a need to be able to more efficiently represent geographic locations and to verify the accuracy of an address associated with a geographic location.
One embodiment includes a GEOID server configured to communicate with a database containing GEOIDs, where each GEOID comprises a label and geographic information. In addition, the GEOID server is configured to communicate with a mapping server via a network, the GEOID server is configured to communicate with a plurality of user devices via the network, the GEOID server is configured to store GEOIDs in the database in response to information received from user devices via the network, the GEOID server is configured to retrieve geographic information in response to GEOID labels received from user devices via the Internet, and the GEOID server is configured to cause the display of a map provided by a mapping server on a user device, where the map indicates at least one location associated with the geographic information retrieved by the GEOID server in response to the GEOID label received from the user device.
In a further embodiment, the geographic information of at least one GEOID is a static geographic location.
In another embodiment, the static geographic information is expressed as a latitude and longitude on the surface of the Earth.
In a still further embodiment, the static geographic information is expressed as a street address comprising a street address and a postal code.
In still another embodiment, the geographic information of at least one GEOID is a plurality of static geographic locations.
In a yet further embodiment, the geographic information of at least one GEOID is a route.
In yet another embodiment, the geographic information of at least one GEOID is information identifying a mobile asset.
In a further embodiment again, the mobile asset is a mobile phone handset.
In another embodiment again, the mobile asset is a parcel.
In a further additional embodiment, the mobile asset is a vehicle including an automatic vehicle location system.
In another additional embodiment, the GEOID server is configured to use the retrieved geographic information to obtain a location update for the mobile asset.
In a still yet further embodiment, the mobile asset includes a client application configured to determine the current location of the mobile asset and to communicate the current location of the mobile asset to the GEOID server.
In still yet another embodiment, the GEOID server is configured to communicate with a tracking server via the network, and the GEOID server is configured to obtain a location update for the mobile asset from the tracking server using the retrieved geographic information.
In a still further embodiment again, the geographic information of at least one GEOID is information identifying a plurality of mobile assets.
In still another embodiment again, the geographic information of at least one GEOID is references another GEOID.
In a still further additional embodiment, the GEOID server is configured to verify that the user device from which a GEOID label is received has permission to access the geographic information associated with the GEOID label.
In still another additional embodiment, the GEOID server is configured to compare a PIN code received from the user device to a PIN code associated with the GEOID in the database.
In a yet further embodiment again, the GEOID server is configured to determine whether the user device from which the GEOID label is received is associated with a user that has been assigned permission to access the geographic information associated with the GEOID by the user that created the GEOID.
In yet another embodiment again, each GEOID is unique and labels only one set of geographic information.
In a yet further additional embodiment, the GEOID is uniquely assigned within different geographies.
In yet another additional embodiment, the GEOID expires after a predetermined time period.
In a further additional embodiment again, at least one GEOID comprises at least one set of non-geographic information in addition to the geographic information.
An embodiment of the method of the invention includes receiving a label for association with a piece of geographic information, determining that the label is available for use, receiving at least one piece of geographic information for association with the label, where the piece of geographic information is longer than the label, and storing the label and the at least one piece of geographic information in a database for retrieval using the label.
In a further embodiment of the method of the invention, the geographic information is a static geographic location.
In another embodiment of the method of the invention, the static geographic information is expressed as a latitude and longitude on the surface of the Earth.
In a still further embodiment of the method of the invention, the static geographic information is expressed as a street address comprising a street address and a postal code.
In still another embodiment of the method of the invention, the geographic information is a plurality of static geographic locations.
In a yet further embodiment of the method of the invention, the geographic information is a route.
In yet another embodiment of the method of the invention, the geographic information is information identifying a mobile asset.
In a further embodiment again of the method of the invention, the geographic information is information identifying a plurality of mobile assets.
In another embodiment again of the method of the invention, the geographic information is a label of another piece of geographic information.
A further additional embodiment of the method of the invention also includes defining access permissions restricting the retrieval of the stored geographic information using the label.
Another additional embodiment of the method of the invention also includes defining an expiration date for the label and storing the expiration date with the label and the at least one piece of geographic information in the database for retrieval.
A still yet further embodiment of the method of the invention also includes receiving at least one piece of non-geographic information, and storing the at least one piece of non-geographic information in the database for retrieval using the label.
Still yet another embodiment of the method of the invention includes providing the label, querying the database using the label, retrieving the geographic information associated with the label in the database, and displaying a map including an indication of at least one geographic location derived using the geographic information retrieved using the label.
In a still further embodiment again of the method of the invention, the geographic information is a static geographic location.
In still another embodiment again of the method of the invention, the geographic information is a plurality of static geographic locations.
In a still further additional embodiment of the method of the invention, the geographic information is a route.
In another additional embodiment of the method of the invention, the geographic information is information identifying a mobile asset.
In a yet further embodiment again of the method of the invention, the geographic information is information identifying a plurality of mobile assets.
In yet another embodiment again of the method of the invention, the geographic information is another label.
A further additional embodiment again of the method of the invention also includes determining whether the user providing the label is permitted to access the geographic information associated with the label.
Another additional embodiment again of the method of the invention also includes comparing a PIN code provided by the user with a PIN code associated with the label in the database.
A still yet further embodiment again of the method of the invention also includes querying whether a record exists that the user has been granted permission to access the geographic information by the user that caused the geographic information to be stored in the database.
Another further embodiment of the invention includes a GEOID server configured to communicate with a database containing GEOIDs, where each GEOID comprises a label and geographic information. In addition, the GEOID server is configured to communicate with a mapping server via a network, the GEOID server is configured to communicate with a plurality of user devices via the network, the GEOID server is configured to retrieve geographic information in response to GEOID labels received from user devices via the Internet, and the GEOID server is configured to cause the display of a map provided by a mapping server on a user device, where the map indicates at least one location associated with the geographic information retrieved by the GEOID server in response to the GEOID label received from the user device.
Turning now to the drawings, geographic identification systems and methods of displaying geographic locations on maps and providing related location based services in accordance with embodiments of the invention are illustrated. The geographic location of an object can be expressed via any of a number of different coordinate systems including but not limited to latitude and longitude on the surface of the Earth, and/or a street address including a street address, a city, and/or a postal or ZIP code. The term “geographic identification”, which can be shortened to GEOID, includes an alphanumerical label (GEOID label), which may be unique, and a set of specific geographic information assigned to aforementioned GEOID label. The set of geographic information includes but is not limited to one or more static geographic locations, one or more routes, and/or information identifying one or more mobile assets. The geographic location to which the GEOID label points, can be a fixed geographic location or the present geographic location of a mobile object or entity. In many embodiments, the GEOID label can point to multiple geographic locations and/or mobile objects or entities so that a user can locate the geographic location closest to a particular location. Geographic identification systems in accordance with embodiments of the invention provide users with the ability to define GEOIDs that can then be shared with other users. In this way, a user can choose an efficient and easy to remember GEOID label that the geographic identification system can map to a specific location or route. The GEOID can then be used to display the geographic location or route via a mapping service, and to provide additional location based services such as, but not limited to, turn-by-turn navigation services from a location to the location of the GEOID or the start of the route. Geographic information systems and methods of using GEOIDs to provide services in accordance with embodiments of the invention are discussed further below.
Geographic Identification SystemsA geographic identification system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is illustrated in
In operation, users can communicate with the GEOID server 12 via various user devices and are able to define GEOIDSs that are stored in the database 14 for later retrieval. The GEOID typically is a label that references a position, route or another GEOID. The label of the GEOID can be unique, but as is discussed below reuse of GEOID labels can be permitted under specified circumstances. The label itself can be assigned by a user or assigned by the geographic identification system and is typically characterized in that that it is simple to remember (e.g. “Home” or “Work”) or is shorter than the address or tracking information associated with the GEOID (e.g. a 16 character tracking code can be replaced with a 5 character code). In many embodiments, the user defines the GEOID first. Once the GEOID has been indicated as available, the user can then associate geographic information and other types of information with the GEOID. In other embodiments, the user identifies the geographic information and/or other types of information first and then the user can attempt to assign a GEOID to the information. The GEOIDs are retrieved, when a user specifies a geographic location using a GEOID. The GEOID is forwarded to the GEOID server 12 and the appropriate location information is retrieved from the database 14. In a number of embodiments, the GEOID server provides a geographic location and/or a URL enabling the display of the geographic location via a mapping service. The application on the user device that provided the GEOID to the GEOID server can then replace the GEOID with the URL and display a map showing the geographic location of the GEOID via the web service. In several embodiments, the GEOID provides services in addition to the translation of GEOIDs into geographic locations or URLS, a GEOID server in accordance with embodiments of the invention can also provide additional services including, but not limited to, forwarding the geographic location to a mapping service to display the geographic location on a map. In several embodiments, the geographic location is forwarded via an API defined by the mapping service such as the Google Maps API defined by Google, Inc. of Mountain View, Calif. In other embodiments, any of a variety of techniques can be used to retrieve map information from mapping services. Furthermore, many embodiments of the invention incorporate a dedicated mapping service. In addition to displaying the geographic location on a map, the GEOID server can also provide additional location based services including, but not limited to, turn-by-turn navigation, and location based advertising.
In a number of embodiments, geographic identification systems support two different categories of users: personal users and corporate/government users. Personal users are typically able to utilize the geographic information system without any service fee. Corporate/government users can also utilize the geographic identification system based on a service contract. In this way the database of the geographic identification system can be made accessible to corporate/government users to use GEOIDs that they create to provide services. Geographic identification systems in accordance with embodiments of the invention can also support two different categories of subscribers: personal subscribers and corporate/government subscribers. Personal subscribers utilize the geographic identification system for personal usage, including but not limited to defining GEOIDs for the home, work, and meeting places. Corporate/government subscribers can register their locations and offices as GEOIDS for a fee. In other embodiments, any of a variety of different classes of users and/or subscribers can be defined within a geographic identification system.
A process for displaying geographic locations on maps in response to GEOIDs provided by users to a geographic identification system in accordance with embodiments of the invention is illustrated in
The process illustrated in
A variety of processes exist for creating GEOIDs from simply randomly generating GEOIDs to allowing users to specify the GEOID to assign to one or more geographic locations. A process for defining a GEOID in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is illustrated in
In the process illustrated in
Geographic identification systems in accordance with several embodiments of the invention support GEOID label reuse (i.e. the ability of a specific label to be separately assigned to different GEOIDs) Reuse can be in the context of different geographic regions. For example, a GEOID label can be reused across different states of the United States. A GEOID label can also be reused based upon privacy settings. For example, when an individual defines a GEOID and shares the GEOID label with friends, the GEOID label can be made available for use by other unrelated users. The privacy settings associated with the GEOID can be explicit, involving the use of a password or PIN code to access the geographic location associated with the GEOID. Alternatively, the privacy settings associated with the GEOID can be implicit, involving the user granting permission to specific users to access the GEOID. Implicit grants of access can automatically occur when GEOIDs are defined in the context of an online social network.
A process for defining a private GEOID that is accessible via a PIN code in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is illustrated in
A process for defining a private GEOID that is accessible based upon permissions granted to other users in accordance with embodiments of the invention is illustrated in
Although specific examples of GEOID reuse and privacy control/access permissions are disclosed above, any of a variety of techniques can be utilized for determining the ability of different users to assign a specific GEOID label to a geographic location and the extent to which the GEOID is shared between the general public, groups of users, and/or other individual users.
Accessing Geographic Location Information Using GEOIDsA process for accessing one or more geographic locations associated with a GEOID in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is illustrated in
The GEOID is used to retrieve one or more geographic locations associated with the GEOID. In the illustrated embodiment the retrieved geographic location(s) or the retrieved geographic locations closest to the user are displayed (98) on a map. In many embodiments, the map is displayed by providing the geographic location to a mapping service via an API specified by the mapping service.
Other location based services can also be offered in addition to displaying the location of the GEOID on a map. In the illustrated embodiment, the process provides the option (100) of directions between a location provided by the user, which can be performed with another GEOID, and the location of the destination GEOID. In the event that the user desires directions, the process generates navigation directions and provides (102) the directions to the user. In situations where the GEOID is a route, the process provides directions to the start of the route. In several embodiments, the directions are generated by providing the two geographic locations to a mapping service, which returns maps and directions for navigating between the two locations. Any of a variety of other location based services can also be incorporated into processes in accordance with embodiments of the invention including but not limited to location based advertising and processes associated with participation in location based social networks.
Geographic Identification and MobilityKnowledge of the location of moving objects or entities can be useful in a host of applications including but not limited to parcel tracking, fleet management and automatic vehicle location, and location based social networks. While much of the above discussion has focused on assigning GEOIDs to static geographic locations, GEOIDs can also be assigned to mobile objects and/or entities. Mobile objects and/or entities can be collectively referred to as mobile assets. Information concerning mobile assets can be obtained in a variety of ways. Many systems already exist to track mobile assets. For example, many courier services such as Federal Express of Memphis, Tenn. provide tracking services via websites in which a unique tracking identifier is provided to a customer and the unique identifier can be used to retrieve information concerning the most recent location of a parcel. In systems such as the Fed-Ex system, location updates are provided via bar code scans of a bar code on the mobile asset. In systems such as fleet management systems, the mobile asset can include an on board GPS receiver and a radio that can be used to transmit data back to a fleet management system via a network such as a cellular phone network. An increasingly large number of mobile assets, such as mobile phones, are also able to determine their geographic location and are capable of executing applications that can send the geographic location of the mobile asset via the Internet to a remote server. Geographic identification systems in accordance with embodiments of the invention are capable of associating a GEOID to the present location of one or more mobile assets. The geographic identification system can periodically obtain a geographic location update for the mobile asset and, where possible query the mobile asset for its present location, in response to a user request. Information concerning geographic location can be retrieved from a tracking server or via communication with a client application executing on the mobile asset. Geographic information systems that can assign GEOIDs to mobile assets and provide geographic location updates for mobile assets in accordance with embodiments of the invention are discussed further below.
Geographic Identification Systems that Identify Mobile Assets
A geographic identification system that can be used to obtain the geographic location of a mobile asset in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is illustrated in
A process for assigning GEOIDs to mobile assets and for retrieving position updates for the mobile assets is illustrated in
Although the GEOID server 12 is shown as communicating with both tracking servers 112 and mobile assets 20, GEOID servers in accordance with embodiments of the invention can be limited to communicating with tracking servers only or mobile assets only. In addition, geographic identification systems in accordance with embodiments of the invention can retrieve more than just geographic location information from tracking servers and client applications on mobile assets. Geographic identification systems can retrieve additional information including, but not limited to, status information concerning the mobile asset, historical information concerning a mobile asset, and/or information from sensors connected to the mobile asset. Processes for assigning GEOIDs to mobile assets and obtaining geographic location updates for mobile assets are discussed further below.
Assigning GEOIDs to Mobile AssetsA process for associating a GEOID to one or more mobile assets, where geographic location information concerning the mobile assets is obtained via a tracking server, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is illustrated in
A process for associating a GEOID with one or more mobile assets, where the mobile assets are configured to report their geographic locations directly to a geographic identification system, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is illustrated in
Although specific processes are illustrated in
Retrieving Location of Mobile Assets using GEOIDs
A process for retrieving the location of one or more mobile assets associated with a GEOID in accordance with embodiments of the invention is illustrated in
In addition to displaying the geographic location of the mobile assets associated with the GEOID, processes in accordance with embodiments of the invention can involve providing additional location based services including but not limited to providing directions to the mobile asset. In the illustrated embodiment, the process determines (194) whether directions are requested and provides (196) navigation directions where appropriate.
Although a specific process is illustrated in
While the above description contains many specific embodiments of the invention, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as an example of one embodiment thereof. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by the embodiments illustrated, but by the appended claims and their equivalents.
Claims
1. A geographic identification system, comprising:
- a GEOID server configured to communicate with a database containing GEOIDs, where each GEOID comprises a label and geographic information;
- wherein the GEOID server is configured to communicate with a mapping server via a network;
- wherein the GEOID server is configured to communicate with a plurality of user devices via the network;
- wherein the GEOID server is configured to store GEOIDs in the database in response to information received from user devices via the network;
- wherein the GEOID server is configured to retrieve geographic information in response to GEOID labels received from user devices via the Internet; and
- wherein the GEOID server is configured to cause the display of a map provided by a mapping server on a user device, where the map indicates at least one location associated with the geographic information retrieved by the GEOID server in response to the GEOID label received from the user device.
2. The geographic identification system of claim 1, wherein the geographic information of at least one GEOID is a static geographic location.
3. The geographic identification system of claim 1, wherein the static geographic information is expressed as a latitude and longitude on the surface of the Earth.
4. The geographic identification system of claim 1, wherein the static geographic information is expressed as a street address comprising a street address and a postal code.
5. The geographic identification system of claim 1, wherein the geographic information of at least one GEOID is a plurality of static geographic locations.
6. The geographic identification system of claim 1, wherein the geographic information of at least one GEOID is a route.
7. The geographic identification system of claim 1, wherein the geographic information of at least one GEOID is information identifying a mobile asset.
8. The geographic identification system of claim 7, wherein the mobile asset is a mobile phone handset.
9. The geographic identification system of claim 7, wherein the mobile asset is a parcel.
10. The geographic identification system of claim 7, wherein the mobile asset is a vehicle including an automatic vehicle location system.
11. The geographic identification system of claim 7, wherein the GEOID server is configured to use the retrieved geographic information to obtain a location update for the mobile asset.
12. The geographic identification system of claim 11, wherein the mobile asset includes a client application configured to determine the current location of the mobile asset and to communicate the current location of the mobile asset to the GEOID server.
13. The geographic identification system of claim 12, wherein:
- the GEOID server is configured to communicate with a tracking server via the network;
- wherein the GEOID server is configured to obtain a location update for the mobile asset from the tracking server using the retrieved geographic information.
14. The geographic identification system of claim 1, wherein the geographic information of at least one GEOID is information identifying a plurality of mobile assets.
15. The geographic identification system of claim 1, wherein the geographic information of at least one GEOID is references another GEOID.
16. The geographic identification system of claim 1, wherein the GEOID server is configured to verify that the user device from which a GEOID label is received has permission to access the geographic information associated with the GEOID label.
17. The geographic identification system of claim 16, wherein the GEOID server is configured to compare a PIN code received from the user device to a PIN code associated with the GEOID in the database.
18. The geographic identification system of claim 16, wherein the GEOID server is configured to determine whether the user device from which the GEOID label is received is associated with a user that has been assigned permission to access the geographic information associated with the GEOID by the user that created the GEOID.
19. The geographic identification system of claim 1, wherein each GEOID is unique and labels only one set of geographic information.
20. The geographic identification system of claim 1, wherein the GEOID is uniquely assigned within different geographies.
21. The geographic identification system of claim 1, wherein the GEOID expires after a predetermined time period.
22. The geographic identification system of claim 1, wherein at least one GEOID comprises at least one set of non-geographic information in addition to the geographic information.
23. A method of associating a label with geographic information, comprising:
- receiving a label for association with a piece of geographic information;
- determining that the label is available for use;
- receiving at least one piece of geographic information for association with the label, where the piece of geographic information is longer than the label; and
- storing the label and the at least one piece of geographic information in a database for retrieval using the label.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 9, 2010
Publication Date: Jan 13, 2011
Inventor: Davut Kavranoglu (Istanbul)
Application Number: 12/833,842
International Classification: G01C 21/00 (20060101); G06F 15/16 (20060101); G01C 21/36 (20060101); G06F 17/30 (20060101);