Context-Sensitive Map Message Generation for Wireless Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current map applications on wireless communications devices do not provide context-specific information about the location being shared, and are not optimized for GPS-enabled devices, which can lead to confusion between current location and other map locations.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for generating context-sensitive messages that automatically include location information, such as current position, point of interest, or route details, with hyperlinked URLs, allowing recipients to easily view the location on a map, and enabling users to personalize or edit the messages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a generic location message is sent without context-specific information, then the message structure is simple and easy to generate, but the recipient cannot understand the location context or significance
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-loads and caches location-related information (POI data, address details, business hours, contact information) before it is needed for message generation. When a user shares a location, the system retrieves this pre-prepared information automatically, eliminating the need for complex real-time data gathering and reducing message generation complexity while providing rich contextual information.
Solution Approach 2:
The message generation system automatically retrieves and incorporates location context information from available data sources without requiring user input or manual composition. The system serves itself by autonomously gathering POI names, addresses, and other contextual details from cached data or live APIs, then assembling a comprehensive location message that informs the recipient about the significance of the shared location.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the application treats all location sends as generic, then the processing logic is simple, but GPS-enabled devices cannot distinguish between sending current location and other map locations
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different message generation logic based on the specific type of location being shared. When GPS data indicates the device is at a known POI, the system automatically retrieves and attaches location-specific information (business name, address, hours). When sharing arbitrary coordinates without POI matches, the system uses a different message template. This localized approach to different location contexts provides GPS awareness without requiring a complete rewrite of the message generation system.
Solution Approach 2:
The message content and structure dynamically adapt based on the detected location context. The system continuously monitors GPS data and automatically adjusts the message template selected, the information retrieved from caches, and the level of detail included. This dynamic behavior allows the application to distinguish between current GPS locations and static map locations, providing context-aware messaging without complex manual configuration.
3Productivity
If users must manually compose personalized messages for location sharing, then the message can be highly customized, but it requires significant user time and effort
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically composes location sharing messages by retrieving relevant information from cached POI data and API sources. It autonomously selects appropriate message templates, fills in location-specific details (name, address, description), and formats the output without requiring user composition effort. Users can review and edit the auto-generated message if desired, but the system provides a complete draft automatically, dramatically reducing the time and effort required to share locations with contextual information.
4Loss of information
If the application sends only basic location coordinates, then the data transmission is minimal and efficient, but the recipient lacks context about what the location represents
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-loads and caches detailed POI information (descriptions, business hours, contact details, images) before they are needed for message transmission. When a location is shared, the system retrieves this pre-prepared information from the cache rather than transmitting raw coordinates only. This preliminary preparation allows the system to include rich contextual information in the message without requiring real-time data gathering, balancing information completeness with transmission efficiency.
Data Source
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Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A wireless communications device generates a message from a map application to enable a recipient of the message to view a location on a map. After a user selects a location to be sent to the recipient, the map application determines location information associated with the location and generates the message to be sent to the recipient. The message contains a link to enable the recipient to download the map showing the location and further contains the location information embedded as text within the message. The map application can determine whether the location is based on a GPS position fix, whether it is a Point of Interest or whether it is part of a map route. In each case, predetermined text is automatically embedded in the message to convey the location information to the recipient.