Information mapping approaches
Methods, systems and applications for updating, enhancing, organizing, and utilizing geographic maps, for locating points of interest and places of businesses, or POI's. Embodiments provide a method for collecting geo-coordinate data on POIs by eliciting participation of the business owners or designated employees to identify the specific locations of POI's on a map; a map program which synchronizes to a centralized database where POI and other more frequently changing and time-dependent map information is downloaded to individual users; a map program, where in addition to the standard contact information, “qualitative” information and website links are included in an POI information box to aid in pre-qualifying a POI before selection and in booking a reservation; a method for locating markers on an Internet-based search engine map; and an improved contact management system that allows locations of contacts to be viewed on a map while minimizing address geocoding.
1. A mapping system for providing mapping information to a plurality of users with a plurality of computing devices over the Internet, wherein said plurality of computing devices comprise a first computing device and a second computing device, said mapping system comprising:
one or more databases storing said mapping information for displaying a map, said mapping information comprising: map layer information, information about points of interest, and qualitative information related to said points of interest; and
at least one server storing computer instructions configured to:
receive user input from said first computing device that confirms geocodes associated with said points of interest to generate user confirmed geocodes;
store said user confirmed geocodes;
store a set of personally selected points of interest selected by at least one of said plurality of users;
display said set of personally selected points of interest within said map;
export to said second computing device said set of personally selected points of interest and user confirmed geocodes associated therewith, wherein said set of personally selected points of interest were made with the displayed map of said first computing device; and
display said exported set of personally selected points of interest made with the displayed map of said first computing device on a display of the second computing device, wherein said display of said exported set of personally selected points of interest employs use of said exported user confirmed geocodes.
2. The mapping system of claim 1 , wherein the second computing device comprises an in-vehicle navigation system.
3. The mapping system of claim 1 , wherein the first computing device is selected from a portable phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), an in-vehicle navigation system, or a personal computer.
4. The mapping system of claim 1 , wherein the second computing device is selected from a portable phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), or a personal computer.
5. The mapping system of claim 1 , wherein said qualitative information related to the points of interest comprises at least one of: professional ratings information, and user ratings information.
6. The mapping system of claim 1 , wherein said qualitative information related to the points of interest further comprises a descriptive location address relative to another location nearby.
7. The mapping system of claim 1 , wherein said computer instructions are further configured to display a graphical user interface (GUI) to allow a graphical location indicator of a point of interest on a map to be moved to a more representative location, after said graphical location indicator is placed automatically according to an address of the point of interest.
8. A mapping system for providing mapping information to a plurality of users with a plurality of computing devices over the Internet, wherein said plurality of computing devices comprise a first computing device and a second computing device, said mapping system comprising:
one or more databases storing said mapping information for displaying a map, said mapping information comprising: map layer information, information about points of interest, and qualitative information related to said points of interest; and
at least one server storing computer instructions configured to:
receive user input from said first computing device that confirms geocodes associated with said points of interest to generate user confirmed geocodes;
store said user confirmed geocodes;
create an account on said mapping system for at least one of said plurality of users having said first computing device;
store a set of personally selected points of interest selected by said at least one of said plurality of users;
display said set of personally selected points of interest within said map;
export to said second computing device said set of personally selected points of interest and user confirmed geocodes associated therewith, wherein said set of personally selected points of interest were made with the displayed map of said first computing device; and
display said exported set of personally selected points of interest made with the displayed map of said first computing device on a display of the second computing device, wherein said display of said exported set of personally selected points of interest employs use of said exported user confirmed geocodes.
9. The mapping system of claim 8 , wherein the second computing device comprises an in-vehicle navigation system.
10. The mapping system of claim 8 , wherein the first computing device is selected from a portable phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), an in-vehicle navigation system, or a personal computer.
11. The mapping system of claim 8 , wherein the second computing device is selected from a portable phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), or a personal computer.
12. The mapping system of claim 8 , wherein said qualitative information related to the points of interest further comprises a descriptive location address relative to another location nearby.
13. A mapping system for providing mapping information to a plurality of users with a plurality of computing devices over the Internet, wherein said plurality of computing devices comprise a first computing device and a second computing device, said mapping system comprising:
one or more databases storing said mapping information for displaying a map, said mapping information comprising: map layer information, information about points of interest, and qualitative information related to said points of interest; and
at least one server storing computer instructions configured to:
receive user input from said first computing device that confirms geocodes associated with said points of interest to generate user confirmed geocodes;
store said user confirmed geocodes;
create an account on said mapping system for at least one of said plurality of users having said first computing device;
store a set of personally selected points of interest selected by said at least one of said plurality of users;
display said set of personally selected points of interest within said map of a graphical user interface (GUI);
display website links related to said points of interest within said GUI;
export to said second computing device said set of personally selected points of interest and user confirmed geocodes associated therewith, wherein said set of personally selected points of interest were made with the displayed map of said first computing device; and
display said exported set of personally selected points of interest made with the displayed map of said first computing device on a display of the second computing device, wherein said display of said exported set of personally selected points of interest employs use of said exported user confirmed geocodes.
14. The mapping system of claim 13 , wherein said first computing device is selected from a group consisting of: a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), and a personal computer.
15. The mapping system of claim 13 , wherein said second computing device is selected from a portable phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), an in-vehicle navigation system, or a personal computer.
16. The mapping system of claim 13 , wherein a website link configured to, responsive to a user interaction therewith, connect one of said plurality of computing devices to a website associated with one of the points of interest to facilitate a transaction therewith.
17. The mapping system of claim 13 , wherein said qualitative information related to the points of interest comprises at least one of: professional ratings information, and user ratings information.
18. The mapping system of claim 13 , wherein said qualitative information related to the points of interest further comprises a descriptive location address relative to another location nearby.
19. The mapping system of claim 16 , wherein said transaction is selected from a group consisting of: a reservation, a purchase order, and an inquiry.
20. The mapping system of claim 13 , wherein said computer instructions are further configured to display a GUI to allow a graphical location indicator of a point of interest on a map to be moved to a more representative location, after said graphical location indicator is placed automatically according to an address of the point of interest.