Patent Application
20060030340
This invention relates generally to user interfaces, and more particularly to determining a physical location affiliated with an identifier used in a mobile phone.
Location applications like navigation applications are some of the most compelling Java applications in iDEN Java phones and will likely be introduced to other cellular phones. Navigation applications such as TeleNav and ViaMoto use landmarks and addresses to identify destinations and provide directions to such destinations. In such systems, end users enter destinations at web sites before a trip, or enter destination data on a handset, or call a service center. In each instance, additional initial steps might be taken that are not necessarily intuitive, friendly, or most efficient for users
No existing system utilizes conventional identifiers that can be mapped to physical addresses to provide a more user friendlier means for destination identification. In existing systems, it might be cumbersome for some users to enter a street address in a mobile environment (or otherwise), whereas other information might be readily available to achieve a similar end result. In some instances, existing navigation systems require the use of a live dispatcher or a customer service representative to obtain such information which greatly adds to the cost of such a system. Other systems might operate in response to receiving a call rather than by an action initiated by a user. Once again, no existing system allows a user to request destination information in a more user friendly and flexible manner without limitations requiring the receipt of a call or a call into a customer service representative.
In a first embodiment of the present invention, a method of determining a destination using a mobile radio can include the steps of obtaining at least one identifier among a phone number, a dispatch identifier, a mobile internet protocol address, an instant messaging (IM) user identifier, an electronic mail address, a group communication identifier, or other identifier having mobility management information, mapping the at least one identifier to an approximate physical location, and selectively retrieving the approximate physical location corresponding to the at least one identifier using a user interface on the mobile radio. The step of mapping can be done in various ways. For example, mapping a phone number can be done by mapping the phone number to a physical address provided by white pages or yellow pages from on-line phonebooks. Alternatively, a phone number can be mapped to location services available at a cellular phone, dispatch radio, or wireless internet protocol device. The location services can be global positioning services (GPS), network based locating services, or other location services that might become available in the future. In yet another alternative, the step of mapping can include the step of mapping at least one among the instant messaging user identifier or the electronic mail address to a public switched telephone network (PSTN), a dispatch identifier or an internet protocol address. The method can further include the step of presenting to the end user an option of following an originating number or a forwarding number when the phone number being called is using a call forwarding service. Note, the user interface can be at least one among a menu displayed on a screen using a softkey for selection of the at least one identifier or a dedicated key on a keypad of the mobile phone. Of course, other user interfaces are contemplated herein including hands-free voice controlled user interfaces.
In a second embodiment of the present invention, a system for determining a destination using a mobile radio can include a transceiver and a processor coupled to the transceiver. The processor can be programmed to obtain at least one identifier among a phone number, a dispatch identifier, a mobile internet protocol address, an instant messaging user identifier, an electronic mail address, a group communication identifier, or other identifier having mobility management information, map the at least one identifier to an approximate physical location, and selectively retrieve the approximate physical location for the at least one identifier by using a user interface on the mobile radio. The processor can be further programmed to perform the mapping function by mapping the phone number to a white-pages or a yellow-pages phonebook to obtain the approximate physical location. Alternatively, the processor can be programmed to map the phone number to location services available at one among a cellular phone, a dispatch radio, or a wireless Internet Protocol device. The location services is selected among global positioning services and network based locating services. The processor can further be programmed to map at least one among the instant messaging user identifier or the electronic mail address to a public switched telephone network, a dispatch identifier or an internet protocol address. The processor can also be programmed to present to the end user an option of following an originating number or a forwarding number when the phone number being called is using a call forwarding service. Note, the user interface can be among a menu displayed on a screen using a softkey for selection of the at least one identifier or a dedicated key on a keypad of the mobile phone. As noted previously, the user interface can also come in other forms.
Other embodiments, when configured in accordance with the inventive arrangements disclosed herein, can include a system for performing and a machine readable storage for causing a machine to perform the various processes and methods disclosed herein.
While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of embodiments of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward.
Referring to
Java enabled mobile handsets for example can contain many types of Java applications, including the ones that connect with specialized servers like a navigation system. A JAVA application can have multiple modes of communication. For example, such application can connect with an internet server via an any number of IP addresses corresponding to addresses on servers or with a voice-enabled server via a interconnect number or connect with a voice-enabled server via a direct-connect (dispatch or PTT) number. These servers are addressable using IP addresses or even phone (or interconnect) or dispatch (or direct-connect) numbers. These addresses are usually provisioned during application installation and downloading. In cases where multiple servers are available, the user may be required to select one of the servers available. Again, each application can have a phonebook-like entry, with the ability to provide multiple server IP addresses, interconnect numbers, and/or dispatch (PTT or private call ID or direct-connect) numbers. Also note that the servers described above can come in the form of a mobile device which would facilitate peer-to-peer communications and applications.
As noted above, an embodiment in the form of a navigation application can use identifiers such as phone numbers, dispatch ID, mobile IP addresses, and other digital identifications with mobility management to identify a destination. The phone number, dispatch ID, and IP addresses for example, can be found in the user phone books. Phone numbers for destinations can be easily found in yellow pages using a wireless web browser. For fixed line phone or mobile phone using call forwarding service, the end user can be presented with the option to follow the original number or the number being forwarded to. Mobile email ID can be used as well as long as it has mobility support. The chart 50 of
Further note that navigation to a physical address by identifier can be integrated into most, if not all, of the aspects of a user interface. For example, a communication device phone book, browser yellow and white pages, recent call list, hot call list, messages, instant messaging, a group communication list, and Caller ID. In one example, if a user selects a group identifier, several choices can be provided t the user in the form of group members. More specifically, an email distribution list can be expanded to provide multiple e-mail addresses or a group call list can provide identifiers for each of the members in the group. Further note that the navigation feature can be accessed in numerous ways using a user input 37 including a menu or soft key or a dedicated button on a phone keypad. The user input in this regard could also be a microphone using voice commands to retrieve the desired information. Navigation by identifier in this regard can be extended to picture identification, fingerprint, or voice imprint identification. The fixed end can provide matching services and locating services for picture ID or other identification means such as biometric information. Services like this can be integrated with homeland security applications.
Such a concept is a powerful tool that could be abused in the wrong hands and potentially create privacy concerns. To address privacy concerns of private individuals, particularly with mobile phones, a target user's phone can prompt the target user when the target user's phone is queried and allow the target user to authenticate the requesting party, and respond with a present position of the target user using one of the location methods previously discussed.
As a result of a system or method discussed above, several embodiments in accordance with the present invention can provide almost seamless destination identification and an easier means for an end user to obtain destination location information by entering an ID rather than a detailed address. Such a system can also easily integrate into existing phone user interfaces and applications. A dedicated button for such purpose can also add further ease of use.
Referring to
In light of the foregoing description, it should be recognized that embodiments in accordance with the present invention can be realized in hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software. A network or system according to the present invention can be realized in a centralized fashion in one computer system or processor, or in a distributed fashion where different elements are spread across several interconnected computer systems or processors (such as a microprocessor and a DSP). Any kind of computer system, or other apparatus adapted for carrying out the functions described herein, is suited. A typical combination of hardware and software could be a general purpose computer system with a computer program that, when being loaded and executed, controls the computer system such that it carries out the functions described herein.
In light of the foregoing description, it should also be recognized that embodiments in accordance with the present invention can be realized in numerous configurations contemplated to be within the scope and spirit of the claims. Additionally, the description above is intended by way of example only and is not intended to limit the present invention in any way, except as set forth in the following claims.
