Methods and apparatus for providing map locations in user applications using URL strings
View Patent ↗Techniques for use in a wireless communication device for displaying a map are described. The device receives via a user interface a selection of a hypertext link object in an electronic file or message. The object is associated with a URL string which includes a server address and location data corresponding to a location. When a mapping application is installed in the device, the device executes the mapping application for rendering a map of the location in response to receiving the selection of the object. When the mapping application is not installed in the device, the device executes a web browser of the device for receiving and displaying a map image of the location in response to receiving the selection of the object.
1. A method in a wireless communication device for displaying a map, the wireless communication device including a user interface comprising a display, the method comprising:
receiving a message comprising a hypertext link object to a map location, the hypertext link object being associated with a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) string which comprises a server address and location data corresponding to the map location;
receiving a user selection of the hypertext link object;
searching the URL string to identify a mapping application trigger, the mapping application trigger being a portion of a domain name of the server; and
if the URL string comprises the trigger, invoking the mapping application and displaying a map of the map location.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the mapping application trigger is a URL hook registered on the device.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the URL string is registered when the mapping application is installed on the device.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the hypertext link object is the only link to the map location in the message.
5. The method of claim 3 , wherein the hypertext link object is the only link to the map location in the message.
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising, if the URL string does not comprise the trigger, invoking a web browser application to display the map of the map location.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein invoking the web browser application further comprises receiving data to display a link to download and install the mapping application.
8. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising instructions in code which when stored in a memory of a wireless communication device and executed by a processor of the wireless communication device causes the wireless communication device to:
receive a message comprising a hypertext link object to a map location,
the hypertext link object being associated with a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) string which comprises a server address and location data corresponding to the map location;
receive a user selection of the hypertext link object;
search the URL string to identify a mapping application trigger, the mapping application trigger being a portion of a domain name of the server; and
if the URL string comprises the trigger, invoke the mapping application and displaying a map of the map location.
9. The computer readable medium of claim 8 , wherein the mapping application trigger is a URL hook registered on the device.
10. The computer readable medium of claim 9 , wherein the URL string is registered when the mapping application is installed on the device.
11. The computer readable medium of claim 8 , wherein the hypertext link object is the only link to the map location in the message.
12. The computer readable medium of claim 10 , wherein the hypertext link object is the only link to the map location in the message.
13. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 8 , wherein, if the URL string does not comprise the trigger, further causing the device to invoke a web browser application to display the map of the map location.
14. The computer readable medium of claim 13 , wherein invoking the web browser application further comprises receiving data to display a link to download and install the mapping application.
15. A wireless communication device comprising:
a processor;
a wireless transceiver coupled to the processor;
a memory coupled to the processor;
a user interface comprising a display;
the processor being configured to:
receive a message comprising a hypertext link object to a map location,
the hypertext link object being associated with a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) string which comprises a server address and location data corresponding to the map location;
receive a user selection of the hypertext link object;
search the URL string to identify a mapping application trigger, the mapping application trigger being a portion of a domain name of the server; and
if the URL string comprises the trigger, invoke the mapping application and displaying a map of the map location.
16. The wireless communication device of claim 15 , wherein the mapping application trigger is a URL hook registered on the device.
17. The wireless communication device of claim 16 , wherein the URL string is registered when the mapping application is installed on the device.
18. The wireless communication device of claim 15 , wherein the hypertext link object is the only link to the map location in the message.
19. The wireless communication device of claim 17 , wherein the hypertext link object is the only link to the map location in the message.
20. The wireless communication device of claim 15 , wherein the processor is further configured to, if the URL string does not comprise the trigger, invoke a web browser application to display the map of the map location.
21. The wireless communication device of claim 20 , wherein invoking the web browser application further comprises receiving data to display a link to download and install the mapping application.