Mobile Contact List Map 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 implemented in mobile communication devices to provide a contact list organizer function that allows users to request mapping of a contact's location by sending an address to an address geocoding server for latitude and longitude coordinates, which are then used to render a map corresponding to the location in the device's display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If mapping functionality is integrated with contact organizer functionality, then the ability to associate geographic locations with contact information is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines mapping functionality and contact organizer functionality into a single integrated system. The mobile communication device now allows users to select contacts from the contact list and automatically retrieve and display their associated geographic locations on a map interface, merging two previously separate functions into one unified operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact organizer function is enhanced to serve multiple purposes: it not only manages contact information but also provides mapping services by retrieving and displaying geographic locations associated with contacts. This multi-functional approach allows the same interface to handle both contact management and location visualization tasks.
2Adaptability or versatility
If mapping functionality is added to contact organizer, then user capability to visualize contact locations is improved, but ease of operation may deteriorate due to additional integration steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the selection of contact information and the display of geographic locations into a single automated process. When a user selects a contact, the system automatically retrieves the associated location data and displays it on the map without requiring the user to manually input or navigate between separate applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs automatic location retrieval and map generation based on contact information. The mobile communication device autonomously handles the process of selecting the contact, querying the location database, and rendering the map display, reducing the need for user intervention in complex operations.
Data Source
AI summary
Displaying a map in a mobile communication device. Geographic coordinate information for a location of an address in a contact is determined. A user context for the mobile communications device is also determined. A request for a table of contents of available map data without the map data with the geographic coordinate information of the location as input is sent and the table of contents of available map data is received. A subset of map data comprising less data than is listed in the table of contents for the location corresponding to the geographic coordinate information is selected based on the table of contents of available map data and the user context. The subset of the map data is requested and the map with the subset of the map data is caused to be rendered in the display.