Mobile Contact List Mapping Integration via Geocoding
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a lack of integration between contact organizer functionality and mapping functionality in mobile communication devices, limiting the ability to associate geographic locations with contact information.
Innovation Solution
A method is provided to integrate mapping functionality into a contact list of a mobile communication device, where a user can request to map a location associated with a contact by sending an address to an address geocoding server to obtain latitude and longitude coordinates, and then use these coordinates to render a map in the device's display, either from cached data or by retrieving it from a network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If mapping functionality is integrated into the contact list, then the association of contact information with geographic data is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines contact organizer functionality and mapping functionality into a single integrated system. The contact list display is enhanced to include map rendering capabilities, allowing users to view geographic locations associated with contacts directly within the contact application. This merging eliminates the need for separate applications and improves the association between contact information and geographic data.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile communication device is designed to perform multiple functions through a single integrated system. The contact list application not only manages contact information but also provides mapping and geographic visualization capabilities. This multi-functionality allows the device to serve as both a contact manager and a mapping tool, reducing the need for additional specialized applications.
2Measurement precision
If map data is retrieved from the network for each contact location, then the accuracy of location display is improved, but the loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by checking whether map rendering data is already cached in the device memory before initiating a network request. If the data is cached, the system immediately uses the stored data for display, avoiding the time-consuming network retrieval process. This preliminary check ensures that frequently accessed map data is displayed quickly while maintaining accuracy when network data is available.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a caching mechanism as an intermediary between the network and the map display function. The cache stores previously retrieved map rendering data, allowing the system to serve map information without always contacting the network. This intermediary layer reduces the time required to display maps while maintaining accuracy by using stored data when appropriate and fetching fresh data when necessary.
3Speed
If map rendering data is cached in memory, then the speed of map display is improved, but the loss of information occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by checking whether map rendering data is already cached in the device memory before initiating a network request. If the data is cached, the system immediately uses the stored data for display, avoiding the time-consuming network retrieval process. This preliminary check ensures that frequently accessed map data is displayed quickly while maintaining accuracy when network data is available.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the caching status of map data is continuously monitored and evaluated. When map data is requested, the system checks the cache, and if data is found, it uses the cached version. If the cached data is outdated or insufficient, the system fetches updated data from the network and updates the cache accordingly. This feedback loop ensures that the cache remains useful for speeding up display while minimizing information loss through periodic updates.
Data Source
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AI summary
In one illustrative example, a method of providing mapping functionality in a contact list of a mobile communication device comprises the acts of providing a contact list organizer function in the mobile device for use in organizing a plurality of contacts of a contact book or list; identifying, through a user interface of the mobile device, a user input request to map a location of a selected one of the contacts of the contact list; and in response to the user input request, performing the following further acts of identifying an address of the location in one or more address fields of the selected contact; sending, to an address geocoding server via wireless network, a request for location coordinates with the address as an input; receiving, via the wireless network, latitude and longitude coordinates of the location in response to the request for the location coordinates; and causing a map corresponding to the location of the selected contact to be visually rendered in a display of the mobile device based on map rendering data for the location corresponding to the latitude and longitude coordinates received via the wireless network in response to a request for map data of the location.