CN101166326A

CN101166326A - Methods and apparatus for associating mapping functionality and information in contact lists of mobile communication devices

Info

Publication number: CN101166326A
Application number: CN200710128270.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 罗纳德·安东尼·迪克; 尼古拉斯·布赖森·威尔逊; 杰西·约瑟夫·博德里奥
Original assignee: Research in Motion Ltd
Current assignee: BlackBerry Ltd
Priority date: 2006-03-31
Filing date: 2007-03-29
Publication date: 2008-04-23
Anticipated expiration: 2027-03-29
Also published as: CN101166326B

Abstract

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 communication device for use in organizing a plurality of contacts of a contact book or list; identifying, through a user interface of the mobile communication device, a user input request to map a location of a selected one of the contacts of the contact list; and causing a map corresponding to the location to be visually displayed in a display of the mobile communication device in response to the user input request. In another illustrative example, the method comprises the acts of causing a map of a location to be visually displayed in a display of the mobile communication device; receiving a user input request to associate the location of the map with a contact in a contact book or list of the mobile communication device; and storing location data corresponding to the location in one or more location fields of the contact in response to the user input request.

Description

The method and apparatus of information that is used for the contacts list of associating mapping functionality and mobile communication equipment

The cross reference of related application

The application requires to be submitted on July 7th, 2006 priority of No. 06116846.4 european patent application of the same names of EUROPEAN PATENT OFFICE, this application further requires in the 60/788th of the same names of submission on March 31st, 2006, No. 458, application attorney docket is the U.S. Provisional Patent Application of 0108-0324/US, the application also requires in the 60/787th, No. 541 of " the Method And System For Distribution Of Map ContentTo Mobile Communication Devices " by name of submission on March 31st, 2006, application attorney docket is P1579US00 (also having RIM 30176-ID), the first invention people is the U.S. Provisional Patent Application of Eric Johnson.

Technical field

The present invention is general relates to drawing function and the technology of using in the mobile communication equipment that is suitable for moving in cordless communication network.

Background technology

Mobile communication equipment can provide the contact manager function, is used to a plurality of contact persons in the terminal user management contacts list.The contact manager function can be the address book Manager Feature, and for example, each contact person of a plurality of contact persons comprises name and relevant contact details, such as address, one or more telephone number and e-mail address.Some associated person informations such as telephone number and e-mail address, can used when mobile communication equipment starts communication by the terminal use.

In addition, mobile communication equipment also provides drawing function, is used to provide the map of the visualization display in geographical position.Yet, and do not know and such contact manager function and the drawing function in the mobile communication equipment can be integrated.

Accordingly, need a kind of method and apparatus, so that drawing function is got up with the associating information relevant with contact list function and information, particularly in the mobile communication equipment in running on cordless communication network.

Summary of the invention

In illustrated technology example of the present invention, a kind of method that drawing function is closed the contacts list link mobile communication equipment is included in the contacts list Manager Feature is provided in the mobile communication equipment, is used for a plurality of contact persons of Administrative Contact this or tabulation; By the user interface of this mobile communication equipment, be defined as the contact person's located subscriber input request in the contacts list; And import request in response to this user, further determine the operation of the address of the position in one or more address fields of selected contact below carrying out; With this address is input, sends the position coordinates request by network to address geocoding server; By this wireless network, reception is in response to the latitude of the position of this position coordinates request and the coordinate of longitude; And based on the mapping data of this position, make map visualization display on the display of mobile device corresponding to selected contact's position, this position is corresponding to the latitude and longitude coordinate in response to the map datum request of this position that receives by this wireless network.

Description of drawings

The detailed description of embodiments of the invention being carried out below in conjunction with accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a block diagram, illustrates the associated components of mobile communication equipment and the cordless communication network of communication system;

Fig. 2 is the more detailed figure of the preferred mobile communication equipment of Fig. 1, for example travelling carriage;

Fig. 3 A is the system diagram of network components, and this network components provides the drawing function in the mobile communication equipment of Fig. 1 and 2;

Fig. 3 B illustrates the interacting message between mobile communication equipment and the map server, is used for according to the system of Fig. 3 A map content being downloaded to this mobile communication equipment;

Fig. 3 C shows the map data structure according to exemplary embodiments;

Fig. 4 illustrates the user interface of mobile communication equipment;

Fig. 5 illustrates the various software applications that can be arranged in mobile communication equipment;

Fig. 6 and 7 illustrates the locating wheel of mobile communication equipment;

Fig. 8 illustrates the information on the display that can be shown in mobile communication equipment, and this information is the address book contact person of the address book of mobile communication equipment, and this mobile communication equipment comprises a plurality of address book contact persons;

Fig. 9 is the method flow diagram of the information in associating mapping functionality and the address book, and this address book is a kind of contact person's basis of the particular type that is provided;

Figure 10-14 illustrates the information that shows on display, the order of the sequence of events of summarizing in the flow chart according to Fig. 9; And

Figure 15 is the other method flow chart of the information of associating mapping functionality and address book.

Embodiment

Fig. 1 is the block diagram of communication system 100, and this system comprises the travelling carriage 102 (a kind of wireless or mobile communication equipment) that communicates by cordless communication network 104.Travelling carriage 102 preferably includes display 112, keyboard 114 and perhaps one or more auxiliary user interfaces (UI) 116, and each interface is coupled to controller 106.Controller 106 also is coupled to radio frequency (RF) transceiver circuit 108 and antenna 110.Usually, controller 106 is as CPU (CPU), and its moves the operating system software (not shown) in memory unit.Controller 106 can be controlled whole operations of travelling carriage 102 usually, and carries out in RF transceiver circuit 108 usually in the relevant signal processing operations of communication function.Controller 106 is connected to device display 112, and the information, canned data, the user that receive with demonstration import or the like.Keyboard 114 can be phone type keyboard or full alpha-numeric keyboard, it be normally used for importing be used for the data of travelling carriage 102 storages, the information that is used to be sent to network 104, the telephone number that is used to call calling, the order that will on travelling carriage 102, carry out and possible other or different users import.

Travelling carriage 102 passes through antenna 110 to network 104 transmission signals of communication and from network 104 receiving communication signals on Radio Link.Function like the transceiver-like of 108 execution of RF transceiver circuit and station 118 and BSC120 for example comprises modulating/demodulating and possible coding/decoding and encrypt/decrypt.It is also contemplated that this RF transceiver circuit 108 can carry out some function except the function of being carried out by BSC120.Those skilled in the art are very clear, and RF transceiver circuit 108 can be suitable for special wireless network, and perhaps travelling carriage 102 operates in and wherein carries out network operating.

Travelling carriage 102 comprises battery interface 134, is used to receive one or more rechargeable batteries 132.The circuit of battery 132 in travelling carriage 102 provides electric weight, and battery interface 134 provides mechanical and electronic connection for battery 132.Battery interface 134 is coupled to adjuster 136, and it is adjusted to the electric weight of this equipment.When travelling carriage 102 is exercisable fully, the RF transmitter of RF transceiver circuit 108 is locked usually, perhaps has only when it will just be opened when network sends, otherwise is closed to economize on resources.Similar, the RF receiver of RF transceiver circuit 108 periodically cuts out usually with save power, needs received signal or information just to open in the time cycle in appointment.

Travelling carriage 102 uses Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) 140 to operate, and this interface is connected to or is inserted in the travelling carriage 102 on SIM interface 142.SIM 140 is a kind of traditional " smart cards ", is used for identifying the terminal use (or subscriber) of travelling carriage 102, and makes this equipment by individualized, to distinguish other equipment.Do not have SIM 140, mobile station terminal can not be operated by wireless network 104 fully.By SIM 140 is inserted travelling carriages 102, the terminal use can visit arbitrarily and all his customized services.SIM 140 generally includes the memory of processor and user storage information.Because SIM 140 is coupled to SIM interface 142, it is coupled to controller 106 by order wire 144.In order to identify this subscriber, SIM 140 comprises some customer parameters, such as international mobile subscriber sign (IMSI).Using the benefit of SIM 140 is that the terminal use needn't be bound to any independent physics travelling carriage.The additional user information of SIM 140 all right storing mobile stations comprises this (or calendar) information of data and nearest call information.

Travelling carriage 102 can comprise independent unit, such as data communications equipment, cell phone, global positioning system (GPS) unit, have data and voice communication capability multi-functional communications equipment, can radio communication PDA(Personal Digital Assistant) or comprise the computer of the Internet modem.Alternative, travelling carriage 102 can be the multimode unit, comprises a plurality of separated components, includes, but are not limited to be connected to computer or other equipment of radio modem.Especially, for example, in the travelling carriage block diagram of Fig. 1, RF transceiver circuit 108 and antenna 110 can be used as the radio modem unit, and it can be inserted in the port of kneetop computer.In this case, kneetop computer can comprise display 112, keyboard 114, one or more auxiliary UI 116 and as the controller 106 of the CPU of computer.Also wish do not possess the computer of wireless communication ability or radio transceiver circuitry 108 and the antenna 110 that other equipment can also be suitable for being connected to independent unit usually,, and effectively they are controlled such as above-mentioned equipment.Such travelling carriage 102 has more particularly implementation with respect to the travelling carriage 402 of Fig. 2, as describing afterwards.

Travelling carriage 102 is in cordless communication network 104 and by this network service.Cordless communication network 104 can be a cellular communications networks.In the embodiment in figure 1, wireless network 104 disposes according to global system for mobile communications (GSM) and GPRS (GPRS) technology.Although cordless communication network 104 is described to the network of GSM/GPRS type here, can also utilize any suitable technology, such as code division multiple access (CDMA), wideband CDMA (WCDMA), 2G, 3G or based on the technology of universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS).In this embodiment, this GSM/GPRS wireless network 104 comprises base station controller (BSC) 120, mobile switching centre (MSC) 122, attaching position register (HLR) 132, service universal packet wireless business affair (GPRS) support node (SGSN) 126 and the Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN) 128 with associated column station 118.MSC 122 is coupled to connection network on BS 120 and the road, such as public switch telephone network (PSTN) 124.SGSN 126 is coupled to BSC 120 and GGSN 128, and it also is coupled to public or private data network 130 (such as Internet).HLR 132 is coupled to MSC 122, SGSN 126 and GGSN 128.

Standing 118 is transceiver stations of fixing, and stand 118 and BSC 120 can refer to transceiver apparatus.This transceiver apparatus is that the overlay area of specific being called " sub-district " provides wireless network to cover.This transceiver apparatus transmits signal of communication by the travelling carriage of station 118 in its sub-district and from the travelling carriage receiving communication signal.This transceiver apparatus usually according to especially, normally predetermined communication protocol and parameter, under its control of controller, the signal that send to travelling carriage is carried out such as modulation and the possible coding and/or the function of encryption.If necessary, transceiver apparatus is similarly separated mediation and is decoded possibly and decipher any signal of communication that the travelling carriage 102 in its sub-district receives.Communication protocol between heterogeneous networks can be different with parameter.For example, network can adopt the modulation strategy different with other networks and in different frequencies operations.

Radio Link shown in the communication system 100 of Fig. 1 is represented one or more different channels, normally different radio frequency (RF) channel, and the related protocol that uses between wireless network 104 and travelling carriage 102.The RF channel is the limited resources that must save, normally because the restriction of whole bandwidth and the limited battery electric quantity of travelling carriage 102.Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the wireless network in practical operation comprises hundreds of sub-districts, and (that is, the section of perhaps standing) served by a station 118 in each sub-district, and this depends on the whole coverage of the network of expectation.All relevant parts can be connected with the router (not shown) by a plurality of switches of a plurality of network controller controls.

For all travelling carriages 102 to network operator's registration, permanent data (such as the user profiles of travelling carriage 102) and ephemeral data (such as the current location of travelling carriage 102) are stored among the HLR 132.When the audio call that exists to travelling carriage 102, inquiry HLR 132 is to determine the current location of travelling carriage 102.The VLR Visitor Location Register of MSC 122 (VLR) is responsible for one group of band of position and stores those being currently located at the data that it is responsible for the travelling carriage in the zone.This comprises the permanent mobile station data that partly is sent to VLR from HLR 132, to obtain visit faster.Yet the VLR of MSC 122 can also distribute and store local data, such as interim authentication.Optionally, the VLR of MSC 122 can be enhanced to support the more effective coordination of GPRS and non-gprs service and function (for example paging circuit-switched call, it can by SGSN 126 and in conjunction with the more effectively execution of more newly arriving of GPRS and non-GPRS position).

Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) 126 is on the identical system grade with MSC 122, and follows the tracks of the independent position of travelling carriage.SGSN 126 also carries out security functions and access control.Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN) 128 provides mutual with external packet-switched, and is connected with SGSN (such as SGSN 126) by IP-based GPRS backbone network.SGSN 126 carries out verification and password setting program according to identical algorithm, key and standard in existing GSM.In traditional operation, can automatically perform cell selecting by travelling carriage 102, perhaps select specific cell by transceiver apparatus order travelling carriage 102.When travelling carriage 102 has been reselected another sub-district or one group of sub-district, promptly usually said Routing Area, it notifies wireless network 104.

In order to insert gprs service, travelling carriage 102 " adds " by the said GPRS of execution and allows wireless network 104 know its existence.This operates in has set up a logical links between travelling carriage 102 and the SGSN 126, and makes travelling carriage 102 can for example receive the page or leaf by SGSN, the notice of input GPRS data or the SMS message on the GPRS.In order to send and receive the GPRS data, travelling carriage 102 helps to activate it and wants the packet data address used.This operation makes travelling carriage 102 be known by GGSN 128; Thereby can begin interaction with outer data network.Can use and for example seal and the next user data that between travelling carriage 102 and outer data network, transmits pellucidly in tunnel.Packet is assembled with GPRS certain protocol information, and is transmitted between travelling carriage 102 and GGSN 128.

One skilled in the art will understand that wireless network can be connected to other system, may comprise other networks that obviously do not illustrate among Fig. 1.Network can transmit seldom certain paging and system information, even without the packet data exchanged of reality to keep the operating to basis usually.Although this network comprises mass part, all these parts are all worked together, cause the specific behavior on Radio Link.

Fig. 2 is the more detailed figure of preferred travelling carriage 202 of the present invention.Travelling carriage 202 is bi-directional communication device preferably, and it has voice and high-level data communication capacity at least, comprises the ability of communicating by letter with other computer systems.Depend on the function that travelling carriage 202 is provided, it is data information transfer equipment, bidirection pager, the cell phone with data information transfer ability, wireless the Internet appliance or data communications equipment (being with or without telephone capability) preferably.Travelling carriage 202 can with any communication of a plurality of fixing transmitting-receiving station 200 in its geographical coverage area.

Travelling carriage 202 generally includes communication subsystem 211, it comprises receiver 212, transmitter 214 and associated components, such as one or more antenna elements 216 and 218, local oscillator (LO) 213 and processing module, such as digital signal processor (DSP) 220.Communication subsystem 211 is similar to transceiver circuit 108 shown in Fig. 1 and antenna 110.Those skilled in the art can understand that the particular design of communication subsystem 211 depends on the communication network that travelling carriage 202 is intended to operation.

Travelling carriage 202 can send and receiving communication signal on this network after having finished network registry or active program.Antenna 216 is imported into receiver 212 by the signal that network receives, and it can carry out the common receiver function such as signal amplification, down-conversion, filtration, channel selection or the like, and what carry out in example shown in Figure 2 is modulus (A/D) conversion.The A/D conversion of received signal makes can carry out more complicated communication function in DSP 220, such as the demodulation sign indicating number.Similarly, the signal that is transmitted is for example handled by DSP220, comprises modulation and coding.The signal that these DSP handle is imported into transmitter 214 to carry out digital-to-analogue (D/A) conversion, up-conversion, filtration, amplification and to transmit on communication network by antenna 218.DSP 220 is process communication signals not only, also provides control for receiver and transmitter.For example, the gain that is used for the signal of communication of receiver 212 and transmitter 214 can be controlled adaptively by the automatic gaining controling algorithm among the DSP 220.

Network insertion is to be associated with the subscriber or the user of travelling carriage 202, and therefore in order to move in network, travelling carriage 202 need insert subscriber identity module or " SIM " card 262 in SIM interface 264.SIM 262 comprises those features described in Fig. 1.Travelling carriage 202 is battery supply sets, thereby it also comprises battery interface 254, to receive one or more rechargeable batteries 256.Such battery 256 provides electric weight for all circuit in the travelling carriage 202, otherwise for most of circuit provides electric weight, and battery interface 254 provides mechanical and electronic connection for it.Battery interface 254 is coupled to adjuster (not marking), and it provides the voltage of regulating V to all circuit.

Travelling carriage 202 comprises microprocessor 238 (it is a kind of implementation of the controller 106 of Fig. 1), whole operations of its control travelling carriage 202.Come the executive communication function by communication subsystem 211, comprise data and voice communication at least.Microprocessor 238 also combines other equipment subsystem, such as display 222, flash memory 224, random-access memory (ram) 226, auxiliary I/O (I/O) subsystem 228, serial port 230, keyboard 232, loud speaker 234, microphone 236, short-range communication subsystem 240 and other equipment subsystem arbitrarily, generally represent by 242.Some subsystems shown in Fig. 2 are carried out the function relevant with communication, and other subsystems can provide the function on " this locality " or the equipment.Be noted that some subsystems,, for example can be used to the relevant function of communicating by letter such as keyboard 232 and display 222, such as the input text message that will on communication network, transmit, and the function of equipment this locality, such as calendar or task list.The operating system software that microprocessor 238 uses preferably is stored in the permanent memory, and such as flash memory 224, it can also be replaced by read-only memory (ROM) or similar memory cell.Those skilled in the art can understand that operating system, specific appliance applications or their part can temporarily be loaded in the memory of easy mistake, such as RAM 226.

Microprocessor 238 except its operation system function, is preferably carried out the software application on the travelling carriage 202.One group of application program of expectant control basic device operations comprises data and voice communication application and inventive function of the present invention at least, is mounted on it during the manufacturing of travelling carriage 202 usually.The preferred application program that is loaded onto on the travelling carriage 202 can be personal information manager (PIM) application program, it can organization and management and user-dependent data item, such as, but not limited to Email, calendar event, voice mail, appointment and task items.Certainly, on travelling carriage 202 and the SIM 256 one or more memories can be arranged, so that storage pim data item and other information.

The PIM application program preferably has an ability that transmits and receive data by wireless network.In the present invention, the pim data item by seamlessly integrated, synchronous by wireless network, and upgrade, and the corresponding data item of user of mobile station is stored and/or be associated with host computer system, thereby creates the mirrored host computer for these on travelling carriage 202.When host computer system was exactly the office computer system of user of mobile station, this was useful especially.Can also pass through network, auxiliary I/O subsystem 228, serial port 230, short-range communication subsystem 240 or other any suitable subsystems 242 load other on travelling carriage 202 application program, these application programs by user installation in RAM 226 or preferred nonvolatile storage (not shown), to carry out by microprocessor 238.This flexibility of installing in application program has improved the function of travelling carriage 202, and function on the equipment of enhancing, communication-related functions or both can be provided.For example, secure communication applications can be so that use travelling carriage 202 to carry out e-business capability and other such financial transactions.

Under data communication mode, microprocessor 238 be handled and be input to the signal of reception can by communication subsystem 211 such as text message, email message or page download.Microprocessor 238 can preferably further be handled this signal, to output to display 222 or alternatively to output to auxiliary I/O equipment 228.The user of travelling carriage 202 can also for example use keyboard 232 and write data item in conjunction with display 222 and possible auxiliary I/O equipment 228, such as email message.The keypad of preferably full alpha-numeric keyboard of keyboard 232 and/or phone type.These items of writing can transmit on communication network by communication subsystem 211.

For voice communication, the integrated operation of travelling carriage 202 is similarly basically, and except the signal that receives can be output to loud speaker 234, and the signal that will transmit can be generated by microphone 236.On travelling carriage 202, can also realize a kind of alternative voice or audio frequency I/O subsystem, such as the speech message recording subsystem.Although voice or audio signal output are preferably mainly finished by loud speaker 234, as some examples, during audio call, display 222 also can be used to provide the indication to calling party identity.

Serial port 230 among Fig. 2 realizes in the communication equipment of PDA(Personal Digital Assistant) type usually, for this equipment, with user's desktop computer be the parts of expectation synchronously, although these parts are optional.Serial port 230 makes the user to come setup parameter by external equipment or software application, and by providing information or software download to travelling carriage 202, rather than, expand the ability of travelling carriage 202 by cordless communication network.The download path that substitutes can for example be to be used to by directly and reliably and being connected of trusting load key on travelling carriage 202, thereby safe devices communicating is provided.

The short-range communication subsystem 240 of Fig. 2 is the selectable unit (SU)s that add, and it provides the communication between travelling carriage 202 and the different system or equipment, and they need not to be similar equipment.For example, subsystem 240 can comprise infrored equipment and relevant circuit and parts, perhaps Bluetooth ^TMCommunication module is to provide and similar communicating by letter of system and equipment.Bluetooth ^TMIt is the registered trade mark of Bluetooth SIG company.

Fig. 3 A is the system diagram of network components, and it provides the drawing function in the mobile communication equipment of Fig. 1 and 2.For realizing this function, drawing application program (for example drawing application program 550 of Fig. 5) also is provided in the memory of mobile communication equipment, make and on display, can see map.Mobile communication equipment such as travelling carriage 202, passes fire compartment wall 305 by mobile bearer network 303 and is connected to relaying 307.Receive the request of map datum at relaying 307 from any mobile communication equipment, and pass fire compartment wall 311 by safe lane 309 it is delivered to integrated complex's server 313 and associating mobile data system (MDS) server 315.This request is delivered to business (LBS) server 321 based on common point by fire compartment wall 317 then, and it provides location-based business, to handle this request.This network can comprise a plurality of such LBS servers, and request is distributed by the load Distribution server and handles.The LBS data can be stored on the webserver 321 in the network data base 322, perhaps are stored in (not shown) on the other LBS data server.The associating MDS server 315 that the special use associating data of storage on the associating LBS server 325 can pass through on the safe return path of travelling carriage 202 is added in the common data.Alternative, under the situation that does not have the federated service device, be delivered to public MDS server 327 by relaying 307 from the request meeting of travelling carriage 202, it sends to the public LBS server 321 that LBS is provided with this request, to handle this request.

This network can also comprise address geocoding server (not shown in Fig. 3 A), and it provides longitude and latitude coordinate corresponding to address (for example home address or business address), with in response to the request longitude of this address and the input of latitude.Address geocoding server preferably separate with the LBS server 321 that provides map datum with map making and away from server.This address geocoding server can be in the identical network with LBS server 321, and what perhaps substitute is arranged in heterogeneous networks.

A kind of map data structure is provided, and it has comprised all and geographic area the map feature (some feature) of restaurant (for example such as), street (line feature) or lake (polygon feature) relevant geography and content mark.Map is with what be made of " layer ID " sign " DEntry " (data clauses and subclauses) layer, makes that can be applied to this equipment from the data of homology not also combined, to carry out suitable drafting.Each DEntry has represented one or more artifact or mark (the perhaps combination of the two), and comprise coordinate information (being also referred to as " bounding box " or " frontier district "), be used to identify the zone that DEntry and a plurality of data point are covered, they have identified this artificiality or mark jointly.For example, DEntry can be used to represent a street (perhaps many streets) on the city map, and wherein each point in the DEntry is divided into different parts, with the various piece (for example each several part of a street) of representing this artificiality.Mobile device can send request to map server, download those included DEntry in the specific region of only having represented interesting areas or the bounding box, and for example, the lower left corner, upper right corner coordinate are right.

In the discussion of being done in conjunction with Fig. 3 B, mobile device sends one or more AOI (region-of-interest) request, DEntry or request of data and map reference request to map server, is used for optionally downloading map datum according to user environment below.Like this, not that each request from this equipment is all transmitted diagram data entirely, but in mobile device, can use local cache, and filter in conjunction with the environment of the map datum on the server.For example, if user's mobile device has GPS, and this user travels along highway with the speed of 120km/h on an automobile, can adopt environment to filter so and prevent to download the map datum relevant with the by-pass of process.Perhaps, if the user just aboard with 30, the navigation of 000 ' height can take environment to filter so, prevents to download the map datum in street whatsoever.In addition, can define user's environment, for example (for example user's occupation is a Driver, Motor Transport according to occupation, he can adopt environment to filter to prevent the map datum of the by-pass that the truck of downloading this user can not travel, perhaps user's occupation is to sell the machine recruit supplies for soft drink, the public map data that he can adopt environment to filter to download the responsible area that has shown this user, be filtered away such as the so uncorrelated data in lake and park, and the applied map stacked data that the soft drink that will comprise sells the position of machine is added on the public map data).

The map reference request makes that downloading map reference from map server (just only provides the part of map of the contents table of the available map data in this map, rather than whole map) to this equipment, thereby OTA (in the air) bandwidth and device memory buffer memory demand have been saved.Map reference meets the data structure identical with map, but has deleted data point.As a result, map reference is less (for example 300-400 byte) with respect to complete map or traditional bitmap, and comprises the DEntry bounding box and the attribute (size, complexity or the like) of everyone divine force that created the universe in this map.Along with the change of browsing scope (for example equipment of locality specific displayed map in moving), whether this equipment (client) software evaluation it need to download other data from server.Thereby, as mentioned above, if begun to move into the size attribute or the complexity attribute of the artificiality of (but also not being shown) in the scope of browsing of this equipment, uncorrelated with this viewer's current environment, this equipment can select not show that part of this artificiality so.On the other hand, if this part of this artificiality is suitable for showing whether its buffer memory of this equipment evaluation has been downloaded to determine the DEntry that is associated with this groups of people's divine force that created the universe so, the content of buffer memory is shown under situation about being downloaded.Otherwise this equipment sends request to map server, with download all DEntry with this artificiality part correlation.

By map data structure is organized by layer, just may seamlessly merge and show the information that obtains from the public and private data storehouse.For example, this equipment may show office building, it is positioned at particular address on a street attribute of the 1st z sequence of public database (for example from), a contiguous river attribute of the 2nd z sequence of public database (for example from), and the architectural plan in this building that superposeed, to show independent office (for example, can visit) by fire compartment wall from the attribute of the 11st z sequence of private database.

Return Fig. 3 A, have LBS server 321 and to it in network of addressable database 322, the lattice of different parsing grades (convergent-divergent) are cut apart and be stored as to the diagram data fully of All Around The World, following Table A is set forth.Thereby the lattice zone of independent A level cartographic representation 0.05x0.05 degree; The lattice zone of independent B level cartographic representation 0.5x0.5 degree; The lattice zone of independent C level cartographic representation 5x5 degree; The lattice zone of independent D level cartographic representation 50x50 degree; And the whole world in the independent independent map of E level cartographic representation.Be appreciated that Table A is the example of a kind of specific ground map grid configuration, can also adopt other or different lattice configuration.A map comprises one group of layer, and every layer comprises one group of DEntry, and each DEntry comprises one group of point.

Grade	Lattice (degree)	Cover the map number in the world	Cover the map number of North America	Cover the map number in Europe
Grade	Lattice (degree)	Cover the map number in the world	Cover the map number of North America	Cover the map number in Europe	A	0.05x0.05	25,920,000	356,000	100,000
B	0.5x0.5	259,200	6,500	1000	A	0.05x0.05	25,920,000	356,000	100,000
B	0.5x0.5	259,200	6,500	1000	C	5x5	2,592	96	10
D	50x50	32	5	5	C	5x5	2,592	96	10
D	50x50	32	5	5	E	The whole world	1	1	1

Table A

Forward Fig. 3 B now to, mobile communication equipment (client just) can generate request-AOI request, DEntry request and the map reference request of three kinds of particular types.Can separate or produce these and ask, as below describing in detail with various combinations.AOI (region-of-interest) request requires for all DEntry in the given area (bounding box) of one group of predetermined or selected z sequence layer.Usually new can produce this AOI request when regional when mobile communication equipment moves to, thus this device client know in the map what available before the acquisition DEntry that will show.Map reference has and the identical structure of map, but does not comprise complete DEntry (just having deleted the data point of actual expression artificiality and mark).Like this, map reference has defined for given map, and what layer and DEntry are obtainable.Data or DEntry request is a kind of mechanism that all DEntry that need for given map are bound together of being used for.

Usually, request is to occur in pairs in identical message to AOI with map reference, although they do not need paired appearance, and the DEntry request is the most frequent generation.For example, in mobile communication equipment moves to the zone, on device client, do not store any information that is associated with this zone, map reference is returned in map reference request meeting, it indicates this client can ask any data especially from server 321, and the AOI request can be returned for all DEntry in the region-of-interest of designated layer (if existence).In the example of the request shown in Fig. 3 B, come the map that sign is wanted in the DEntry request by specifying lower left corner map reference.In addition, the DEntry request can comprise layer shielding, thereby unwanted layer is not downloaded, the DEntry shielding, thus unwanted data point is not downloaded, and scale value, to specify zoom level for the DEntry that is asked.In case device client receives the map reference of request, this client can send a plurality of DEntry request usually then, comes the specific DEntry of requirement (because client index known obtainable all specific DEntry) according to the map.

According to the present invention, the A level map of some 20x20 (representing the square of 1x1 degree) is compiled map file (.mbl).A .mbl file comprises a head, and it has specified the length of deviant in this .mlb file and each map.Same 20x20 map reference data are compiled map reference file (.mbx)..mbl in table B and C, illustrate respectively with the .mbx file structure.

Table B

In table B, the deviant of map #0 is 0x0000_0000, and according to the present invention, this data structure is based on supposes that the base address of diagram data is 0x0000_0C80 practically.Therefore the absolute address` of map #0 is: map #0 address=base address (0x0000_0C80)+map #0 deviant (0x0000_0000), other map address computation is: map # (n+1) deviant=map # (n) deviant+map # (n) length.If map does not have data or do not exist, length parameter is set to zero (0x0000_0000).

Table C

In table C, map reference #0 is 0x0000_0000, and according to the present invention, this data structure is to suppose that the base address of diagram data is 0x0000_0C80 practically.Therefore the absolute address` of map reference #0 is: map reference #0 address=base address (0x0000_0C80)+map reference #0 deviant (0x0000_0000), other map address computation is: map reference # (n+1) deviant=map reference # (n) deviant+map reference # (n) length.If map reference does not have data or do not exist, length parameter is set to zero (0x0000_0000).

Fig. 3 C and following table D combine the exemplary embodiments of having described the base map data structure.Usually, as mentioned above, map data structure can comprise map reference (be the index of DEntry, each index can be represented artificiality or mark or represent the two), and the data point that forms each DEntry of such artificiality and mark for reality.In this example, each map comprises the layer clauses and subclauses of layer # and every layer in map ID (for example 0xA1B1C1D1), the map.Map ID is effective map with Data Identification, and according to a kind of alternative, can also be used to the version number of identification data.Layer # is integer, and it has indicated the number of plies (thereby having indicated layer clauses and subclauses) in this map.Each layer clauses and subclauses have defined the rendering attribute of all DEntry in the equivalent layer, and are following the DEntry tabulation for this layer.More than formed map reference.For a complete map, each DEntry comprises one group of data point (being called oPoint here) or mark.Notice that layer can have a plurality of DEntry, and the tabulation of complete DEntry and point divided into groups by layer, and come separately by layer separator (for example hexadecimal value 0xEEEEEEEE).According to exemplary embodiments, the length of each layer clauses and subclauses is 20 bytes, and the length of DEntry is 12 bytes.Yet the number of plies, every layer DEntry number and counting of every DEntry are depended on map datum, and are variable.

Table D provides the height " byte level " of map to describe.

Table D

For more detailed details, it is P1579US00 (also having RIM 30176-ID), the first invention people U.S. Provisional Patent Application for Eric Johnson that the application combines " the Method And System For Distribution Of Map ContentTo Mobile Communication Devices " by name that submit on March 31st, 2006 the 60/787th, No. 541, application attorney docket here.

Fig. 4 is the example of the user interface 402 of travelling carriage 202, and it comprises display 222, keyboard 232, loud speaker 234, microphone 236 and cursor or demonstration location mechanism at least, such as locating wheel 410 (for example pulley) or trace ball 433.Although be exaggerated demonstration in order to know in Fig. 4, the size of this travelling carriage 202 is a handhold portable equipment.Substituting or adding as locating wheel 410 and/or trace ball 433, can adopt one or more indications widely or cursor/demonstration positioner, such as Trackpad, joystick button, mouse, touch-screen, board or other at present known or unknown mechanism." cursor " that picture adopts here but can include but not limited to pointer, removable or other retinal rods (for example, without limits, Drawing Object; Special sign; Profile; Rectangle; Underscore character; The flicker item), to be used for another project on mark position or the indication display, for example for the position of designation data clauses and subclauses or in order to select sundry item.

The key 428 of keyboard 232 is arranged in the front of pedestal 406, and locating wheel 410 is arranged in the next door of pedestal 406.The example of keyboard 232 is forms of the qwerty keyboard of simplification, comprises a plurality of keys 428 as the input members.The arrangement that can see the character 448 on the key 428 of keyboard 424 is that general QWERTY arranges, though a lot of key 428 comprises two characters 448.In the exemplary description of keyboard 424, many keys 428 comprise two characters, such as comprising first character 452 and second character 456 that distributes.The statement that is appreciated that " char " should be broadly interpreted as and comprise letter, numeral, symbol or the like, and can comprise ideographic character, its assembly, or the like.The key 428 of keyboard 424 comprises letter " Q " and " W ", and as character 448, adjacent key 428 comprises letter " E " and " R ", as character 448.Keyboard 424 can be other configurations, such as AZERTY keyboard, QWERTZ keyboard, Dvorak keyboard or other keyboards or arrangements of keypad, can be known or unknown, and is that simplify or unreduced (completely promptly).In " fully " or unreduced keyboard or arrangements of keypad, the independent letter of promising its distribution of each key (rather than a plurality of letter).

In the middle of the key 428 of keyboard 232 be＜NEXT〉key 440 and＜ENTER key 444.Can be by＜NEXT〉key 440 provides to processor and selects input, and provide and import essentially identical selection input by the rotation of locating wheel 410, wherein "＜NEXT〉" can is-symbol or key on the word (for example stamping) " next " that provides.Because＜NEXT〉key 440 is adjacent with some other keys 428 of keyboard 232, the user can provide to processor and select input, and does not need basically hand is removed keyboard 232 in the text input operation.Another key,＜ESC〉key 445 is disposed on the limit of pedestal 406, and positioned adjacent wheel 438 is although same or analogous key can be arranged to the part of keyboard 232.In the middle of the key 428 of keyboard 424 be＜DEL〉key, it can be used for deleting textual entry.

Locating wheel 410 can be used as another input member, and is rotating, shown in arrow 412; be used for providing the selection input to processor; usually can also shown in arrow 414, be used for providing another to select input to press towards the direction of pedestal 406 to processor.Be described in more detail below in conjunction with Fig. 6 and 7 pairs of locating wheels.

Display 222 can comprise cursor 484, and it has described where to be received from the next one input or the selection meeting of user interface 402 usually.Display 222 among Fig. 4 is illustrated as showing main interface, this main interface identification some application programs 586 (can also wherein show the example of some possible application programs 586) referring to Fig. 5, describe with corresponding discrete icon 488.Icon 488 for example comprises email icon 490, calendar icon 492, address book icon 494, task icons 496, message icon 497, notepad icon 498 and search icon 499.

As shown in Figure 5, memory 224 comprises application program that is used for deal with data or the routine that the icon 488 of the visualization display of a plurality of and Fig. 4 is associated.Application program 586 can be various forms of any one, such as but be not restricted to software, firmware or the like.Application program 586 for example comprises the email application 588 (Fig. 5) that is associated with email icon 490 (Fig. 4), the calendar applications 590 (Fig. 5) that is associated with calendar icon 492 (Fig. 4), the address book applications program 592 (Fig. 5) that is associated with address book icon 494 (Fig. 4), the task application program 594 (Fig. 5) that is associated with task icons 496 (Fig. 4), the notepad application 596 (Fig. 5) that is associated with notepad icon 498 (Fig. 4), the message application 598 (Fig. 5) that is associated with message icon 497 (Fig. 4), the search for application 500 (Fig. 5) that is associated with search icon 499 (Fig. 4).Also has operating system (OS) program 516 in the memory 224.Travelling carriage of the present invention also is suitable for rendered visualization map in visual display, and utilizes the drawing application program 550 of storage in the memory 224, so that map making and other functions.

In Fig. 4, " master " interface output current be movable, and constituted master's " band " application program that is used to show the icon 488 that illustrates.Application program such as the email application 588 of Fig. 5, can be activated (open or browse) by the appropriate users input is provided to it then.For example, can start email application 588 by locating wheel 410 being rotated to highlighted email icon 490 and provides the selection input by translate locating wheel 410 by arrow 438 indicated directions from user interface 402.As another example, display 222 has shown the display icon 499 that is associated with search for application 500, and accepts input from locating wheel 410, to start search from icon 499.Can be by another suitable input be provided to user interface 402, come additionally or alternatively to start (open or browse) application program 586 from user interface 402, such as passing through suitably rotation or " rolling " trace ball 433, and provide and select input by promoting this trace ball 433 (for example some is similar to locating wheel 410, except the plane of Fig. 4).

By using the moving of cursor/browse detent mechanism, navigation and/or rolling for the relatively large visualization display information of size and the reduced size of display 222 is very useful, owing at any time have only partial information and message to be displayed in the restricted view of display 222 usually.As previously mentioned, locating wheel 410 is a kind of useful cursor/browse detent mechanisms, to realize such moving.Locating wheel 410 can refer to roller, and it comprises disk especially, and this disk is that the fixed axis that centers on pedestal 302 rotates, and can be rotated by terminal use's forefinger and thumb.When information or message are partly shown, upwards rotating of locating wheel 410 causes rolling upwards, thereby display 222 can show the more top part of these information or message.Similar, rotating of locating wheel 410 causes downward rolling, thus display 222 can show the more following top part of this information or message.Locating wheel is to install along fixing linear axes, thereby the terminal use can depress locating wheel 410 (for example using terminal use's forefinger or thumb) downwards towards pedestal 406, with selection information.Refer again to the indicated direction of arrow 414 of illustrated locating wheel 410.

More detailed mechanism below in conjunction with Fig. 6 and 7 pairs of locating wheels 410 is described.Locating wheel 410 shown in Fig. 6-7 is connected in the main body assembling 610, and can be around this assembling rotation.Main body assembling 610 can be connected to slidable fit 720 or can be the part of slidable fit 720.Slidable fit 720 allows whole locating wheel 410, and main body assembling 610 can freely laterally move 414 with respect to handheld device.Laterally moving of locating wheel 414 is defined as along moving perpendicular to the plane of the rotation axis of locating wheel 410.Laterally move 414 in order to control this, slidable fit 720 can be connected to controlling organization, such as the cam mechanism 730 that has cam 731, and perhaps other starting device of horizontal mechanism as an alternative, solenoid mechanism or some.Cam mechanism 730 is connected to cam controller 740, and this controller is responsible for controlling the lateral attitude of locating wheel 410.When the cam 731 that is connected to cam mechanism 730 and slidable fit 720 moved, locating wheel 410 and main body assembling 610 were also correspondingly laterally moved.Thisly laterally move the processor that can be moved platform towards pedestal inside and detect to switch and import (startup of locating wheel key or press down).

Although locating wheel 410 is shown and is described as a kind of be used for navigation and mobile mechanism between the information of visualization display, present user interface techniques can adopt any suitable mechanism, such as trace ball; UP, DOWN, LEFT and RIGHT key; Mouse and cursor mechanism; Perhaps screen displaying mechanism.

Fig. 8 illustrates the information that can be shown in from the address book applications program 592 of Fig. 5 on the display 222.Especially, the information among Fig. 8 is the address book contact person's of address book example, is used to organize a plurality of address book contact persons of terminal use.Can after having opened the address book applications program, browse this address book associated person information 800 from main interface pages.

In the example of Fig. 8, address book associated person information 800 comprises the home address 808 in commercial affairs in home phone number 805, one or more commercial affairs or the work address field in commercial affairs in address book name 802, commercial affairs or the business telephone number field in the address book name field or business telephone number 804, the home phone number field or work address 806, the one or more home address field.Other information also comprises Business Name (for example Co., Ltd) in the Business Name field, the terminal use's in the said firm title or position, the personal identification number in pin field (PIN).Each address book contact person of address book has a plurality of identical fields, is used to organize these information.Certain field of any address book contact person can be empty, and this depends on terminal use and/or terminal use's available information.Other positional informations that can also comprise address book associated person information 800 are such as the real time position of the mobile communication equipment that is associated with the selected address book contact person who receives by wireless transceiver.The form of this position can be real time position address or real-time longitude and latitude coordinate, and can be received substantially in real time by mobile communication equipment.

The address stored application provides the address book Manager Feature for the terminal use in the travelling carriage.Usually the terminal use import each contact person by hand the address book associated person information in memory so that after communication in use.Alternative or additional, the address book associated person information can be downloaded or be received in the equipment with non-manual mode.The address book contact person can present (maybe can present) in tabulation, and this tabulation is come by letter sequence by address book name or other field informations, perhaps otherwise be classified (maybe can classify).In addition, the address book contact person can be by using any field search of search for application 500 (Fig. 5) cause.Notice that the address book associated person information can be locally stored in the memory of travelling carriage, perhaps substitute, be stored in outside the travelling carriage, such as addressable network data base; Importantly but the address book associated person information is access and browsable at travelling carriage.

In case specified or selected the address book contact person from address book, this information can be used to help terminal use's communication.For example, as previously described, travelling carriage is suitable for moving in wireless communication network, to carry out radiotelephone communication.Because each address book contact person can have at least one phone number field for telephone number, this information can be used from the Mobile Origination telephone call.The processor of travelling carriage can specify the user to the telephone number among the address book contact person to import selection by user interface, to send call, and make the cordless communication network that passes through that starts this telephone number call out, to import in response to this user.For example, can use locating wheel to select address book contact person or telephone number, then select " calling " function then this telephone number by drop-down menu.

As described previously, travelling carriage is suitable for carrying out wireless information communication in cordless communication network.Because each address book contact person has at least one e-mail address for e-mail address, can use this information from travelling carriage send Email message the time.The processor of travelling carriage can specify ground that this user of e-mail address of location is imported selection by user interface, with send Email message, and this e-mail address is inserted in the destination address of the new email message that will send, to import in response to this user.For example, use locating wheel to select this address book contact person or e-mail contacts, then select " Email " function then for this e-mail address by drop-down menu.The terminal use can key in or insert the main text of this email message then, and sends it.

As described previously, travelling carriage of the present invention also is suitable for drawing visual map in its visual display unit.Later, in the memory 224 of travelling carriage, provide drawing application program 550, be used for drawing visual map at display referring to Fig. 5.Substantially carry out drawing Map according to the mode described in Fig. 3, wherein travelling carriage sends the request of mapping data to network, with address and/or longitude and latitude coordinate is input, then receives the mapping data, to be used at the visual display unit map making.

Yet notice that the map drawing data can be buffered and remain on certain hour in the memory.Therefore, beginning, mobile communication equipment can be by cordless communication network from the network data base request and obtain map datum, and map datum is stored in the memory buffer; Processor can then utilize map datum in the buffer memory with map making in the visual display unit of this equipment then.Any map datum that in buffer memory, does not find (usually be the position of map or area changed substantially or different situation under) need be requested and obtain from network data base by previously described.The attention conduct substitutes map drawing data or map datum, can carry out map and show by " bitmap " and these bitmaps corresponding to address and/or longitude and latitude coordinate of visualization display that obtain map.

Fig. 9 provides the universal method flow chart of the information in drawing function and contact person's basis or the tabulation.In the example that is provided, the contact person originally is an address book as described above.Yet contact person this or tabulation can be this or tabulations of any suitable contact person, such as yellow pages or tabulation, e-mail address this or tabulation or subscriber identity module (SIM) or USIM this or tabulation.Execution perhaps substitutes according to the described method of being carried out by mobile communication equipment of previous drawings, is carried out by any computer or communication equipment (for example PC).This method can be carried out by one or more processors of communication equipment.The computer program of travelling carriage can comprise the execution that is stored on the computer-readable medium (memory, floppy disk or CD-ROM), and it writes according to the described logic of this method.

Frame 902 from Fig. 9 provides the address book Manager Feature in mobile communication equipment, with management address a plurality of address book contact persons originally, so that radio communication (step 904 of Fig. 9).Also have, what the address book Manager Feature can be more usual is the address book Manager Feature with a plurality of contact persons.The processor of mobile communication equipment comes designated user input request by its user interface then, comes to be the address book contact person's of the selection of address book position draw (step 906 of Fig. 9).Below, processor make map corresponding to this position by visualization display on the display of mobile communication equipment, to import request (step 908 of Fig. 9) in response to this user.It is this position map making that mobile communication equipment can use its processor according to for example Fig. 3 that describes before.

Figure 10-14 illustrates the information that shows on display, the order of the particular sequence of events of summarizing in the flow chart according to Fig. 9.Figure 10 illustrates display 222 can begin among this a plurality of address book contact persons of explicit address one.In this example, show address book contact person 1002 for the people who is named as " RichPeillard ".Especially, show address book name and job site for the address book contact person 1002 in the tabulation, this tabulation is to search for by the address book contact person who is initiated by the terminal use to provide.In Figure 11, processor sense terminals user in response, makes display 222 show and ejects or drop-down function menu 1004, so that selected address book contact person is operated the startup (depressing) of locating wheel.

As shown in the figure, some functions 1008 in the drop-down menu 1004 comprise " checking " function, are used to check this associated person information of sufficient address; " editor " function is used to edit the address book associated person information; " deletion " function is used for from address book deletion address book associated person information; The function of " checking family's map " is used to check the map corresponding to the visualization display of address book contact person's main address; The function of " checking working map " is used to check the map corresponding to the visualization display of this address book contact person's work or commercial address; " Email " function is used to create email message, and address book contact person's e-mail address is inserted destination address as this email message; " PIN " function is used to create PIN message, with the destination address of this PIN insertion as this PIN address; And " calling " function, be used to be initiated to the call of this address book contact person's telephone number.

The terminal use uses the locating wheel feature list 1008 of rolling drop-down menu 1004 downwards, with highlighted " checking family's map " function 1006, as shown in figure 11.Then processor sense terminals user is to the startup (pressing) of locating wheel, to select to carry out highlighted " checking family's map " function 1006.In response, processor make to be carried out the drawing application program of mobile communication equipment, with the position of " family " address of selected address book contact person as input parameter.As pointing out in Fig. 8 that before address book contact person's home address 808 is " 516Athlone Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada ".In response, processor is from corresponding to receiving the mapping data the drawing application program of address book contact person 800 home address 808.Processor uses this mapping data, makes map 1210 visualization display of position of home address 808 on display 222, as shown in figure 12.The map 1210 of Figure 12 comprises in the map 1210 or indicate or mark 1202 one or more addresses of home address on every side.

Under the situation of the function 1006 of having selected " to check family's map " as described in Figure 11, the terminal use can alternatively select " checking working map " function.Referring now to Figure 13,, the terminal use uses the locating wheel feature list of rolling drop-down menu 1004 downwards, with highlighted " checking working map " function 1302, as shown in figure 13.Then processor sense terminals user is to the startup (pressing) of locating wheel, to select to carry out highlighted " checking working map " function 1302.In response, processor make to be carried out the drawing application program of mobile communication equipment, with the position of " work " address of selected address book contact person as input parameter.As pointing out in Fig. 8 that before address book contact person's work address 806 is " 450March Road, Ontario, Ontario, Canada ".In response, processor is from corresponding to receiving the mapping data the drawing application program of address book contact person 800 work address 806.Processor uses this mapping data, makes map 1410 visualization display of position of work address 806 on display 222, as shown in figure 14.The map 1410 of Figure 14 comprises in the map 1410 or indicate or mark 1402 one or more addresses of work address on every side.

As previously mentioned, can comprise the additional location information of address book associated person information, such as the real time position of the mobile communication equipment that is associated with selected address book contact person that receives by wireless transceiver.The form of this position can be address, real-time point or real-time longitude and latitude coordinate, and can be received substantially in real time by mobile communication equipment.In this case, can use " checking real-time map " function to check map, use the similar technology described in Fig. 8-14 corresponding to this address book contact person's current location.

As mentioned above, can create map according to address book contact person's address (for example working or home address).Additional or substitute, each address book contact person can comprise one or more location field with position data (exposure or hide), and they indicate the position of this address, and without address itself.For example, one or more location field can comprise corresponding to the longitude of this position and latitude coordinate (exposure or hide).In this case, can not use any address book contact person's address, but directly use longitude and latitude coordinate to create map.

Preferably, according to the present invention, mobile communication equipment can use address book contact person's address, and middle reception and use longitude and latitude coordinate to produce map.Receive after the user imports request, the address of the processor of mobile communication equipment in can one or more address fields of this contact person of assigned address, and serve as that input sends position coordinates request (describing for example) to address geocoding server by wireless network in Fig. 3 A with this address.Processor receives longitude and latitude coordinate corresponding to this address/location in response to this request by wireless network from address geocoding server.Then, processor is input with this longitude and latitude, sends the map datum request by wireless network to map server (example is server 321 as previously described), and receives mapping data in response to this request by wireless network from map server.Processor is according to the mapping data that receive from map server then, makes map corresponding to this position by visual drafting.Because map data stored was come map making on the display of this equipment before this equipment can utilize in its buffer memory, the request of following map datum is just just sent when the drawing application program is obtained the mapping data; Yet any mapping data that in buffer memory, do not find (normally when the position of this map or area change basically or different situation under) will need to be requested and to obtain from map server/network data base, as previously mentioned.

Preferably utilize address book contact person's address and the middle technology that receives and use longitude and latitude, particularly keep the consistency of address book contact person's data structure, and wish to keep under the situation of separation of drawing function in hope.Illustrated as Fig. 8, the address book contact person can not comprise any field for map location (for example longitude and latitude coordinate) visual or that hide.Wish to keep this (existing) data structure or form, and need not add any field that is used for map making.Like this, utilize above-mentioned technology, the processor of mobile communication equipment can avoid storing longitude and the latitude coordinate (perhaps any other map/position data) that is associated with each address book contact person.In fact, in initial drawing after the map or after a bit of time, can abandon and not re-use longitude and the latitude coordinate that is associated with this address book contact person.Like this, each address book contact person's data structure can be kept, and the memory of mobile communication equipment can be saved.Being also noted that map server (for example server 321) can use consistent input/output protocol (for example input=longitude and latitude coordinate, output=mapping data), is the request of importing with the address and need not the map server processing.Like this, middle utilization address geocoding server temporarily to obtain and to use longitude and latitude coordinate data by wireless network, is exactly of great use.

Figure 15 is another method flow diagram of the information in associating mapping functionality and address book or the tabulation.Equally, in the example that is provided, as previously mentioned, the contact person originally is an address book.Yet contact person this or tabulation can be this or tabulations of any suitable contact person, such as yellow pages or tabulation, e-mail address this or tabulation or subscriber identity module (SIM) or USIM this or tabulation.Execution perhaps substitutes according to the described method of being carried out by mobile communication equipment of previous drawings, is carried out by any computer or communication equipment (for example PC).This method can be carried out by one or more processors of communication equipment.The computer program of travelling carriage can comprise the execution that is stored on the computer-readable medium (memory, floppy disk or CD-ROM), and it writes according to the described logic of this method.

From the frame 1502 of Figure 15, processor makes the map of position by visualization display (step 1504 of Figure 15) in the display of mobile communication equipment.Can carry out drawing based on the request from the map of terminal use's drafting ad-hoc location or address by user interface, perhaps drawing can be the real time position that is in the mobile communication equipment under the mobile environment.Then, processor receives the user and imports request, with the position with map be associated with the address book contact person of mobile communication equipment (step 1506 of Figure 15).It can be to create the part that new address book contact person's user imports request that this user imports request, or imports the part of request in the insertion position to the user who has the address book contact person now.In response, processor makes position data corresponding to this position be stored in one or more address book contact persons' the field (step 1508 of Figure 15).Can provide such function for any address book contact person in the address book and for any possible position in the map.

Conversely, the technology of Figure 15 can partly be described by checking in conjunction with the map of Fig. 8,11 and 12 demonstration.At first, map making (for example Figure 12) on display; Then be to eject or the drop-down menu function, one of them comprises " creating the address book contact person " function (for example Figure 11); Then be that this position or address are inserted among the address book contact person, and check this associated person information of the next one/current address (for example Fig. 8).

Equally, in above-mentioned technology and example, address book or tabulation are the address books of mobile communication equipment.Yet contact person this or tabulation can be this or tabulations of any suitable contact person, such as yellow pages or tabulation, e-mail address this or tabulation or subscriber identity module (SIM) or USIM this or tabulation.

Having described the contacts list that is used in the mobile communication equipment provides the method and apparatus of drawing function.These methods can be implemented in the computer program, comprise computer-readable medium and the computer instruction that is stored in this computer-readable medium, and these instructions are carried out by one or more processors.The present invention can be the part of mobile communication equipment, and this equipment has wireless transceiver; One or more processors that are coupled to this wireless transceiver; The user interface that comprises visual display; Wherein one or more processors are suitable for carrying out this method.

A method of the present invention is included in the step that the contacts list Manager Feature is provided in the mobile communication equipment, with a plurality of contact persons of Administrative Contact's tabulation; The user of map of position that the selected contact person of contacts list is drawn in user interface identification by this mobile communication equipment imports request; And import request in response to this user, the operation of the address of the position in the one or more address fields of the identification selected contact below further carrying out: sending with this address to address geocoding server by wireless network is the position coordinates request of input; By longitude and the latitude coordinate of wireless network reception in response to this position of this position coordinates request; And according to longitude and the latitude coordinate that receive by wireless network in response to the map datum request of position, make map corresponding to selected contact's position by visualization display on the display of mobile device.

This tabulation of contact person can be a following part: address book or tabulation with a plurality of address book contact persons; Phone directory or tabulation with a plurality of telephone numbers; E-mail address basis or tabulation with a plurality of e-mail addresses; Perhaps subscriber identity module (SIM) or USIM are originally.Clearly, each contact person can have at least one phone number field for telephone number.In this case, this method further comprises following step: the user who discerns contact person's telephone number by user interface imports selection, to send call; And import selection in response to this user, make and initiate call for this telephone number by wireless network.On the other hand, each contact person can have at least one the e-mail address field for e-mail address.In this case, this method further may further comprise the steps: the user who discerns contact person's e-mail address by user interface imports selection, with send Email message; And import selection in response to this user, insert this e-mail address, as the destination address of this email message.This position can be the real time position of the mobile communication equipment that is associated with the selected contact that receives of the position of storing in advance or the wireless transceiver by mobile communication equipment.

This method also further may further comprise the steps: discern selected contact person or address user input selection by user interface; In response to selected contact or address user input select, make function menu by visualization display on display, this function menu comprises the drawing function for selected contact or address; Wherein discerning the user imports requested operation and comprises the selection of discerning drawing function.Substitute, this method may further include following steps: the user by user interface identification selected contact imports selection; Import request in response to user to the selected contact, make function menu by visualization display on display, function menu comprises the drawing function for selected contact's first address and second address; And wherein discern the user and import requested operation and comprise the selection of identification for one drawing function in first address and second address.

In preferred mode, this method may further comprise the steps: the address in one or more address fields of identification contact person; Sending with this address to address geocoding server by wireless network is the position coordinates request of input; In response to being the position coordinates request of input with this address, receive longitude and latitude coordinate from this address geocoding server; Sending with this longitude and latitude coordinate to map server by wireless network is the request of the map datum of input; And in response to being the request of the map datum of input with this longitude and latitude coordinate, from the mapping data of map server reception corresponding to this position, wherein feasible drawing corresponding to this position is based on this mapping data by visualization display.If the mapping data of this position have been cached in the memory, just when obtaining map datum with map making, memory produced (not being to be produced by map server) by wireless network by its drawing application program at mobile communication equipment for the request of map datum.

The above embodiment of the present invention only is for example.It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that without departing from the present invention the present invention can carry out various changes, modification and displacement.The present invention described in the claim of narration is intended to cover and comprises technical all suitable changes.

Claims

1. method that drawing function is provided in the contacts list of the mobile communication equipment (202) that is suitable in cordless communication network (104) operation, this method comprises:

In this mobile communication equipment (202), provide the contacts list Manager Feature, be used to manage a plurality of contact persons of this tabulation;

User by this mobile communication equipment (202) connects (232,222), and the user of the selected contact's (800) of this tabulation of identification drafting situational map imports request;

Import request in response to this user:

The address (806) of the position in one or more address fields of identification selected contact (800);

Sending with this address (806) by this cordless communication network (104) is the position coordinates request of input;

By this cordless communication network (104), receive longitude and latitude coordinate in response to this position of this position coordinates request; And

According to longitude and the latitude coordinate that receive by this cordless communication network (104), make that the map (1410) corresponding to this selected contact's (800) position is drawn on the display (222) of this mobile communication equipment (202) in response to the map datum request of this position.

2. the process of claim 1 wherein that the mapping data for the map (1410) of this position are buffered always and are maintained in the memory of this mobile communication equipment (202).

3. the method for claim 1 further comprises:

Connect (232,222) by the user, the user who discerns selected contact person (800) imports selection;

Import selection in response to user to selected contact (800), make function (1008) menu (1004) by visualization display on display (222), this function (1008) menu (1004) comprises the drawing function (1006) for selected contact (800); And

Wherein discern the user and import the selection that requested operation comprises identification drawing function (1006).

4. the method for claim 1 further comprises:

By user interface (232,222), the user who discerns the address (806) of selected contact person (800) imports selection;

Import selection in response to user to selected address (806), make function (1008) menu (1004) by visualization display on display (222), this function (1008) menu (1004) comprises the drawing function (1006) for selected address (806); And

5. the method for claim 1 further comprises:

Connect (232,222) by the user, identification selected contact's (800) user imports selection;

Import request in response to user to selected contact (800), make function (1008) menu (1004) by visualization display on display (222), this function (1008) menu (1004) comprises the drawing function (1006) for selected contact's first address and second address; And

Wherein discerning the user imports requested operation and comprises the selection of identification for one in first address and second address drawing function (1006).

6. the process of claim 1 wherein that this Wireless Telecom Equipment (202) is suitable for operating in the cordless communication network (104) carrying out radiotelephone communication, and wherein each contact person has at least one phone number field for telephone number; This method further comprises:

Connect (232,222) by the user, the user of identification contact person's telephone number (804) imports selection, to send call; And

Import selection in response to this user, make by the call (804) of wireless network (104) initiation for this telephone number.

7. the method for claim 1 further comprises:

Avoid storing the longitude and the latitude coordinate that are associated with the selected contact.

8. the process of claim 1 wherein and make map (1410) further be comprised by the operation of visualization display on display (222) corresponding to selected contact's (800) position:

By wireless network (104), the longitude and the latitude coordinate that send with this position are the request of the map datum of input;

In response to the request of this map datum, by the mapping data of wireless network (104) reception corresponding to this position; And

Mapping data according in response to the reception of this map datum request make map (1410) be drawn on the display (222).

9. the method for claim 1, wherein sending with this address (806) is that the position coordinates requested operation of input comprises that further sending this asks address geocoding server, and this address geocoding server is different from the map server that the mapping data are provided.

10. the process of claim 1 wherein that contacts list is one of a following part:

Address book or tabulation with a plurality of address book contact persons;

Phone directory or tabulation with a plurality of telephone numbers;

E-mail address basis or tabulation with a plurality of e-mail addresses; And

Subscriber identity module SIM or USIM are originally.

11. the method for claim 1, wherein this method is implemented in the computer program, it comprises computer-readable medium and the computer instruction that is stored in this computer-readable medium, and these instructions are moved one or more processors of communication equipment (202) and carry out.

12. the mobile communication equipment (202) with contacts list Manager Feature of a plurality of contact persons that are used for Administrative Contact's tabulation, this mobile communication equipment (202) comprising:

Wireless transceiver (211) is suitable for communicating by letter with cordless communication network (104);

One or more processors (238) that are coupled to this wireless transceiver (211);

The user interface (232,222) that comprises visual display (222);

These one or more processors (238) are suitable for:

By the user interface (232,222) of this mobile communication equipment (202),

The user of the selected contact's (800) of this tabulation of identification drafting situational map imports request;

Import request in response to this user:

By this cordless communication network (104), sending with this address (806) is the position coordinates request of input;

According to by this cordless communication network (104) via longitude and latitude coordinate that wireless transceiver (211) receives in response to the map datum request of this position, make that the map (1410) corresponding to this selected contact's (800) position is drawn on the display (222) of this mobile communication equipment (202).

13. the mobile communication equipment of claim 12 (202), wherein the mapping data for the map (1410) of this position are buffered always and are maintained in the memory of this mobile communication equipment (202).

14. the mobile communication equipment of claim 12 (202), wherein one or more processors (238) are further adapted for:

By user interface (232,222), the user who discerns selected contact person (800) imports selection;

15. the mobile communication equipment of claim 12 (202), wherein one or more processors (238) are further adapted for:

16. the mobile communication equipment of claim 12 (202), wherein one or more processors (238) are further adapted for:

By user interface (232,222), identification selected contact's (800) user imports selection;

17. the mobile communication equipment of claim 12 (202), wherein this Wireless Telecom Equipment (202) is suitable for operating in the cordless communication network (104) carrying out radiotelephone communication, and wherein each contact person has at least one phone number field for telephone number; And one or more processors (238) are further adapted for:

The user who discerns contact person's telephone number (804) by user interface (232,222) imports selection, to send call; And

18. the mobile communication equipment of claim 12 (202), wherein this Wireless Telecom Equipment (202) is suitable for operating in the cordless communication network (104) carrying out radiotelephone communication, and wherein each contact person has at least one phone number field for telephone number; And one or more processors (238) are further adapted for:

The user who connects (232,222) identification contact person's e-mail address (810) by the user imports selection, with send Email message; And

Import selection in response to this user, insert this e-mail address (810), as the destination address of this email message.

19. the mobile communication equipment of claim 12 (202), wherein sending with this address (806) is that the position coordinates requested operation of input comprises that further sending this asks address geocoding server, and this address geocoding server is different from the map server that the mapping data are provided.

20. the mobile communication equipment of claim 12 (202), wherein one or more processors (238) are further adapted for and make this map by visual drafting, by:

By this wireless transceiver (211), send the map datum request that longitude and latitude coordinate with this position are input to this cordless communication network (104);

By this wireless transceiver (211), from the mapping data corresponding to this position of this cordless communication network (104) reception in response to this map datum request; And

According to these mapping data, make map corresponding to this position by visualization display on visual display (222).

21. the mobile communication equipment of claim 12 (202), wherein contacts list is one of a following part:

Address book or tabulation with a plurality of address book contact persons;

Phone directory or tabulation with a plurality of telephone numbers;

E-mail address basis or tabulation with a plurality of e-mail addresses; And

Subscriber identity module SIM or USIM are originally.