Methods and apparatus for providing map locations in user applications using URL strings
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;
displaying the message comprising the hypertext link object;
receiving, via the user interface, a selection of the hypertext link object, the hypertext link object being associated with a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) string which consists of a domain name and location data corresponding to the map location, the URL string being associated to a map image corresponding to the location data, the domain name pointing to a remote map coordinating server;
in response to receiving the selection of the hypertext link object, identifying a mapping application trigger within the domain name;
invoking the mapping application to display 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 displaying the map image.
7. 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;
display the message comprising the hypertext link object;
receive, via the user interface, a selection of the hypertext link object, the hypertext link object being associated with a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) string which consists of a domain name and location data corresponding to the map location, the URL string being associated to a map image corresponding to the location data, the domain name pointing to a remote map coordinating server; and
in response to receiving the selection of the hypertext link object, identify a mapping application trigger within the domain name;
invoke the mapping application to display a map of the map location.
8. The computer readable medium of claim 7 , wherein the mapping application trigger is a URL hook registered on the device.
9. The computer readable medium of claim 8 , wherein the URL string is registered when the mapping application is installed on the device.
10. The computer readable medium of claim 7 , wherein the hypertext link object is the only link to the map location in the message.
11. The computer readable medium of claim 9 , wherein the hypertext link object is the only link to the map location in the message.
12. The computer readable medium of claim 7 , wherein the instructions further cause the wireless communication device to display the map image.
13. 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;
display the message comprising the hypertext link object;
receive, via the user interface, a selection of the hypertext link object, the hypertext link object being associated with a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) string which consists of a domain name and location data corresponding to the map location, the URL string being associated to a map image corresponding to the location data, the domain name pointing to a remote map coordinating server; and
in response to receiving the selection of the hypertext link object, identify a mapping application trigger within the domain name;
invoke the mapping application to display a map of the map location.
14. The wireless communication device of claim 13 , wherein the mapping application trigger is a URL hook registered on the device.
15. The wireless communication device of claim 14 , wherein the URL string is registered when the mapping application is installed on the device.
16. The wireless communication device of claim 13 , wherein the hypertext link object is the only link to the map location in the message.
17. The wireless communication device of claim 15 , wherein the hypertext link object is the only link to the map location in the message.
18. The wireless communication device of claim 13 , wherein the processors is further configured to display the map image.