초록 ▼

An improved method and system for specifying physical locations when using applications run on navigation systems or other computer platforms that provide navigation- or map-related functions. When requesting a navigation- or map-related function from such an application, a user specifies a physical

An improved method and system for specifying physical locations when using applications run on navigation systems or other computer platforms that provide navigation- or map-related functions. When requesting a navigation- or map-related function from such an application, a user specifies a physical location using a keyword instead of specifying the physical location conventionally, such as by street address. A keyword database relates keywords to physical locations. The application uses the keyword database, or a copy thereof, to find data indicating the physical location associated with the keyword specified by the user. Preferably, physical locations are defined in the keyword database in terms of data in a corresponding geographic database. The application then performs the requested navigation- or map-related function using the data indicating the physical location associated with the keyword. The keyword database is built using input from users. An on-line system is provided that users can access to associate keywords with physical locations. A user accessing the on-line system is presented with a map from which a physical location can be selected. A keyword, which may be selected by the user, is associated with the selected physical location. The keyword is stored in the keyword database along with data indicating the associated physical location.

대표청구항 ▼

We claim: 1. A method whereby users can register keywords that are associated with physical locations comprising:providing a server on a computer network wherein said server is accessible by a first user; andproviding a program on said server that allows the first user to register keywords wherein r

We claim: 1. A method whereby users can register keywords that are associated with physical locations comprising:providing a server on a computer network wherein said server is accessible by a first user; andproviding a program on said server that allows the first user to register keywords wherein registering includes:accepting an identification by the first user of a specific map location;associating the specific map location identified by the first user with a unique keyword specified by the first user;accepting a user-specified instruction to facilitate routing to the specific map location from the first user;associating the instruction with the unique keyword; andstoring said unique keyword and said instruction in a keyword database along with data from which said specific map location associated therewith can be determined, wherein said unique keyword is thereafter used by a second user to indicate said specific map location and said instruction is provided to the second user.