Personalized graphical location indicator for digital maps
Maps on mobile phones and other portable devices often make it difficult to determine the location of a point of interest (POI). For example, the entrance of a subway station may fall outside of the map, or on a featureless background with no way to discern the context of the map. This technology, called “Personalized Compass”, is a graphical location indicator that can be used to help establish frames of reference for POIs that are difficult to place. Personalized a priori POIs are used to establish a reference frame that provides context for the location of the POI in question. Personalized Compass describes POIs graphically, rather than textually, and can be used independently or in conjunction with existing digital maps.
Personalized Compass provides a user-specific frame of reference to locate hard-to-find POIs
Personalized Compass solves a common problem associated with digital maps, in which the map does not provide specific or precise enough context to allow the user to understand the location of a POI. This technology uses personalized a priori POIs to establish a reference frame to locate the POI of interest. Location information is communicated to the user via a graphical interface comprising a multi-needle compass, akin to a simplified overview map, which is more intuitive than the textual descriptions found in other technologies. This self-contained graphical location indicator can be used as a standalone application, integrated into existing digital maps, or embedded in other forms of location-sensitive media.
Lab Director:
Applications:
- Location indication for off-screen POIs or POIs on a map without context
- Application for mobile or wearable devices
- Navigation tool in the absence of digital maps
- Extension or add-on application compatible with existing digital maps
- Extension or add-on application for use with other location-based platforms (e.g. social media sites)
Advantages:
- Graphical representation of POI location
- Compatible with existing digital map applications
- Leverages user-specific POI information
Tech Ventures Reference: IR CU16107