LOGO-ENABLED INTERACTIVE MAP INTEGRATING SOCIAL NETWORKING APPLICATIONS

1 . A computer-implemented method of suggesting a path of travel on a map, said method comprising:

receiving, at a programmed computer, an indication to provide directions to one or more venues selected by an end user;

identifying, using said programmed computer, pre-defined travel preferences for said end user;

identifying, using said programmed computer, one or more optimization criteria;

optimizing, using said programmed computer, said path of travel based on said pre-defined travel preferences and said optimization criteria; and

providing, using said programmed computer, directions along said optimized path of travel to said end user.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said optimization criteria comprises determining the distance to said one or more selected venues.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said optimization criteria comprises determining hours of operation for said one or more selected venues.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said optimization criteria comprises determining one or more modes of transportation selected by said user.

5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein said optimization criteria comprises determining costs associated with said one or more selected modes of transportation.

6 . The method of claim 4 , wherein said optimization criteria comprises determining an expected time to get to a destination associated with said one or more selected modes of transportation.

7 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising presenting a recommendation or deal associated with a venue of interest along said optimized path of travel to said end user.

8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein said venue of interest presented to said end user is not a venue from said one or more venues originally selected by said end user.

9 . The method of claim 7 , wherein said recommendation or deal is presented based on pre-defined non-geographical preferences or historical data associated with said end user.

10 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising optimizing said path of travel based on a recommendation or deal associated with a venue of interest to said end user.

11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein directions along said optimized path of travel are provided using venue representations displayed on said map.

12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein a venue representation displayed on said map is a logo-based identifier associated with a venue.

13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein said venue representation is a text-based identifier when said logo-based identifier is not available for said venue.

14 . The method of claim 11 , wherein a venue representation displayed on said map is a category icon associated with a venue.

15 . A computer system for suggesting a path of travel on a map, said computer system comprising:

a memory; and

a processing device communicatively coupled to said memory, said processing device configured to:

receive an indication to provide directions to one or more venues selected by an end user;

identify pre-defined travel preferences for said end user;

identify one or more optimization criteria;

optimize said path of travel based on said pre-defined travel preferences and said optimization criteria; and

provide directions along said optimized path of travel to said end user.

16 . A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium programmed to include instructions that, when executed by a processing device, cause said processing device to perform a method of suggesting a path of travel on a map, said method comprising:

receiving an indication to provide directions to one or more venues selected by an end user;

identifying pre-defined travel preferences for said end user;

identifying one or more optimization criteria;

optimizing said path of travel based on said pre-defined travel preferences and said optimization criteria; and

providing directions along said optimized path of travel to said end user.