Invented by Adam Bliss, David P. Conway, Google LLC
The Google LLC invention works as follows
A computer-implemented technique for geocoding user information is described. The method includes searching across multiple data corpora for entries with location-related data and determining the locations of those location-related data. The method also comprises generating a mapping showing the current location of a device, along with representations for the entries that have location-related data, at the determined location, for entries across multiple different data corporations.Background for Geocoding Personal Information
People who spend a lot of time away from home or the office, but still need to keep track of their daily affairs, have become dependent on web-based PIM programs, such as address books, task lists and calendars. Online or mobile PIM apps are often the only places where users keep important personal data. Modern portable computing devices, such as smartphones and personal digital assistants, allow users to access online information without being tied to a specific location. However, PDAs force the user view the information without context, that is, information from other devices.
Context is important, especially when a user cannot focus on the portable computer device alone, such as when driving a vehicle. As an example, a user driving a vehicle may want to access contact information in a web-based application while also requiring driving directions from a navigation system. The driver and other road users may suffer serious consequences if they switch their focus from the road to the navigation system or PDA.
This document describes how to enhance visual displays, or other outputs, such as auditory and tactile, with personal data. Location-related data from a user?s personal applications can be scraped and superimposed on a map of a portable device. Location-related data can be gathered from personal applications such as task, calendar or contacts, and include address information for a contact or a meeting description. Location-related data can be geocoded and displayed as an icon over a map showing the user’s location.
For instance, a user can store personal data on one or more apps and the physical locations that correspond to those data can be determined. When a user approaches one or more physical locations that correspond to personal data, a mobile computing system belonging to the owner may update its display to include personal data relating to the location. The user can select an icon to obtain more information about the data.
In one implementation, an computer-implemented technique for geocoding user information is described. The method includes searching across multiple data corpora for entries with location-related data and determining the locations of those entries. The method also comprises generating a mapping showing the current location of a device, along with representations for the entries that have location-related data, at the determined location, for entries across multiple different data corporations.
In certain aspects, data to display the map is obtained from a remote device while data for entries is obtained from a local system and is overlaid onto the map. The method also includes displaying icons that represent entries for events located a predetermined distance away from the outer edge of the geography displayed on the map. The method of determining the locations for location-related data also includes transmitting descriptive location data to a server remote and receiving geocoded information in response. The method may also include submitting a search query containing the user’s data to a local remote search engine, and displaying icons representing the data returned in response to that query alongside the representations for the entries.
In another implementation a tangible media having instructions recorded and stored on it that, when executed perform actions, is disclosed. These actions include searching across different data corpora for entries with location-related data and determining the locations of those entries. “The actions include creating a map that shows the current location of a device, along with descriptions for the entries with location-related data, at the determined location, of entries from multiple different data corporations.
In certain aspects, instructions for creating a map also include instructions to display, over the map icons that represent entries located a predetermined distance from the outer edge of the geography displayed by a map. Instructions are also included for receiving panning actions on the maps and updating the display of the map to match the new location. The instructions also include instructions on how to receive a panning on the maps and update a map display and entries in order to match the new location.
The systems and techniques described in this article may offer one or more advantages. A system can geocode information from different applications and display it to the user in a way that combines the various types of data into one common display. Second, the system can augment an electronic display by adding nearby contacts and events. This may include indicating entries outside of the visual display’s current range.
The drawings and description below provide details on one or more embodiments for geocoding personal data. The description, drawings and claims will reveal other features and benefits of geocoding personal data.
DESCRIPTION of Drawings
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FIG. 3A is a flowchart that illustrates an example of a process for creating a map with geocoded information.
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FIG. “FIG.7 is a block-diagram illustrating exemplary elements of the operating systems used by the device in the case that the operating system is GOOGLE’s mobile device platform.
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