Method and apparatus for decluttering a mapping display

BACKGROUND

p-0002Service providers (e.g., wireless, cellular, etc.) and device manufacturers are continually challenged to deliver value and convenience to consumers by, for example, providing compelling network services. In particular, these services can include location and navigation services on a device. However, often user interfaces associated with these services do not or cannot provide adequate or complete navigational information on a screen of a user's device, particularly when the device is a mobile device with a limited display area. In other cases, the user interfaces may be presented in a way that limits the usability of the presented navigational information for a user. For example, users may not be able to understand the significance of objects displayed on the device because the interface is cluttered with too many objects (e.g., points of interest). Thus, users are unable to fully utilize the available functions of the location or navigation services because the interface may be difficult or cumbersome. Accordingly, service providers and device manufacturers face significant technical challenges in providing user interfaces that present navigational information in ways that can be more easily and quickly understood by the user.

SOME EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

p-0003Therefore, there is a need for an approach for efficiently and effectively decluttering a mapping display.

p-0004According to one embodiment, a method comprises causing, at least in part, rendering of a plurality of points of interest on a mapping display of a user device based on location information associated with each of the points of interest. The method also comprises receiving an input, from the device, for selecting a group of the points of interest on the mapping display. The method further comprises causing, at least in part, capture of an image of the mapping display based on the input. The method further comprises causing, at least in part, display of the selected group of the points of interest as an overlay on the captured image. The display of the selected group distinctly renders each of points of interest in the selected group.

p-0005According to another embodiment, an apparatus comprising at least one processor, and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause, at least in part, the apparatus to render a plurality of points of interest on a mapping display of a user device based on location information associated with each of the points of interest. The apparatus is also caused to receive an input, from the device, for selecting a group of the points of interest on the mapping display. The apparatus is further caused to capture an image of the mapping display based on the input. The apparatus is additionally caused to display the selected group of the points of interest as an overlay on the captured image. The display of the selected group distinctly renders each of points of interest in the selected group.

p-0006According to another embodiment, a computer-readable storage medium carrying one or more sequences of one or more instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause, at least in part, an apparatus to render a plurality of points of interest on a mapping display of a user device based on location information associated with each of the points of interest. The apparatus is also caused to receive an input, from the device, for selecting a group of the points of interest on the mapping display. The apparatus is further caused to capture an image of the mapping display based on the input. The apparatus is additionally caused to display the selected group of the points of interest as an overlay on the captured image. The display of the selected group distinctly renders each of points of interest in the selected group.

p-0007According to another embodiment, an apparatus comprises means for causing, at least in part, rendering of a plurality of points of interest on a mapping display of a user device based on location information associated with each of the points of interest. The apparatus also comprises means for receiving an input, from the device, for selecting a group of the points of interest on the mapping display. The apparatus further comprises means for causing, at least in part, capture of an image of the mapping display based on the input. The apparatus additionally comprises means for causing, at least in part, display of the selected group of the points of interest as an overlay on the captured image. The display of the selected group distinctly renders each of points of interest in the selected group.

p-0008Still other aspects, features, and advantages of the invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description, simply by illustrating a number of particular embodiments and implementations, including the best mode contemplated for carrying out the invention. The invention is also capable of other and different embodiments, and its several details can be modified in various obvious respects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

p-0009The embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings:

p-0010<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is a diagram of a system capable of decluttering a mapping display, according to one embodiment;

p-0011<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is a diagram of the components of a decluttering manager, according to one embodiment;

p-0012<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is a diagram of the components of a user equipment capable of decluttering a mapping display, according to one embodiment;

p-0013<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is a flowchart of a process for decluttering a mapping display, according to one embodiment;

p-0014<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> is a flowchart of a process for rendering a decluttered mapping display on multiple screens, according to one embodiment;

p-0015<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> is a diagram of user interfaces utilized in the process of <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>, according to various embodiments;

p-0016<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> is a diagram of hardware that can be used to implement an embodiment of the invention;

p-0017<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref> is a diagram of a chip set that can be used to implement an embodiment of the invention; and

p-0018<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref> is a diagram of a mobile terminal (e.g., handset) that can be used to implement an embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

p-0019Examples of a method, apparatus, and computer program for decluttering a mapping display are disclosed. In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the invention. It is apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details or with an equivalent arrangement. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the embodiments of the invention.

p-0020Although various embodiments are described with respect to a mapping display that is an augmented reality display, it is contemplated that the approach described herein may be used with any other mapping displays including, but not limited to, three-dimensional maps, two-dimensional maps, navigation maps, topographical maps, user location-tracking maps, and the like.

p-0021<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is a diagram of a system capable of decluttering a mapping display, according to one embodiment. It is becoming increasingly popular for service providers and device manufacturers to bundle or make available navigation and mapping services on an array of user devices (e.g., mobile handsets, computers, navigation devices, etc.) Such devices may utilize location based technologies (e.g., Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers, cellular triangulation, assisted-GPS (A-GPS), etc.) to provide navigation and mapping information. One growing trend for these services is to move beyond two-dimensional (2D) maps and provide location services based on three-dimensional (3D) maps or representations of locations and/or routes of interest. For example, modern devices may utilize an augmented reality mode to superimpose graphics and text over video images showing buildings in front of the user. Moreover, certain devices may utilize 3D representations (e.g., rendered 3D models) of buildings and streets to provide navigational or mapping information. These devices may use separate graphical objects in place of or overlaid on actual images of buildings and streets to provide additional navigational information.

p-0022However, these conventional 3D-based interfaces can be rather cumbersome for displaying information on a user device. For example, in the case of a mobile device (e.g., a smartphone, mobile handset, etc.), the available display is generally limited and can quickly become cluttered when there are many elements (e.g., points of interest (POIs), navigation instructions, etc.) to display. This cluttered display makes it much more difficult for a user to quickly identify important navigational information. This quick identification is particularly crucial when the user is relying on real-time navigational instructions to reach a destination. By way of example, in an augmented reality application, multiple nearby POIs can cause clutter in the display, making it difficult (if not impossible) to see all POIs. In other words, when there is a high density of POIs in the mapping display, graphical representations (e.g., icons, labels, etc.) depicting the POIs can overlap and obscure one another.

p-0023To address this problem, a system <b>100</b> of <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> introduces the capability of selecting one or more POIs or groups of POIs on a cluttered mapping display (e.g., an augmented reality display with multiple nearby POIs), capturing an image of the mapping display, and then overlaying the selected POIs as a list or other format for distinctly rendering each POI. With this approach, the system <b>100</b> can distinctly render and declutter one or more of the POIs that are visible or present in a particular mapping display. For example, in an augmented reality display, the system <b>100</b> displays a live camera view of the surrounding location and supplements with the live image with rich content information (e.g., pictures, media, text labels, descriptions, etc.) relevant to each POI in a real time manner. The viewpoint for providing the augmented reality display is dependent on, for instance, where the user's device is pointed as determined by the device's location, directional heading, and tilt angle. Accordingly, as the user moves the device, the view in the augmented reality display and the displayed POIs change dynamically based on the movement. At any time, the user can select one or more of the POIs in the current display to initiate decluttering by tapping on a desired POI or group of POIs. In order to maintain reference to the viewpoint of the user device at the time of the decluttering request, the system <b>100</b> captures an image of the mapping display and then presents a list of the selected POIs overlaid on the captured image. In other words, the captured image is used as a background image on which the POI list is presented. In this way, the user device need not remain at the same viewpoint while viewing the decluttered mapping display. In certain embodiments, the system <b>100</b> can also declutter the mapping display by grouping the graphical representations (e.g., icons) of nearby POIs into one graphical representation (e.g., a group icon). The group icon can then be selected for decluttering which, in turn, will cause the POIs represented in the group icon to be expanded and displayed individually as an overlay on the captured image.

p-0024It is also contemplated that the system <b>100</b> can overlay all of the POIs (as opposed to just the selected POIs) in list form or other non-overlapping format. If there are more POIs than can fit on the screen at one time, the system <b>100</b> enables the user to scroll through the list or can present multiple screens of the list while maintaining the captured image as a background image for the display. By displaying the POIs in list form, the system <b>100</b> advantageously presents each POI distinctly (e.g., by not overlapping the graphical presentations of each POI) so that the user can review each POI more easily. Causing, at least part, rendering of the POIs as a list in a decluttered display is a means to achieve this advantage. Additionally, because the POIs are presented as an overlay on a captured view of the mapping display associated with the POIs, the user can still relate the POI information to a corresponding location depicted in the captured image even if the user device is moved so that the device's viewpoint changes. Causing, at least in part, capturing of an image of the mapping display and overlaying the rendering of the POIs on the display are means to achieve this advantage. In one embodiment, the system <b>100</b> can also determine information specifying the viewpoint for capturing the image (e.g., the location, directional heading, and tilt angle of the device at the time the image was captured) and store the information with the captured image (e.g., as metadata). In yet another embodiment, the system <b>100</b> can store multiple decluttered displays (e.g., store the captured image and associated POI information) for later retrieval and review.

p-0025As noted previously, the mapping display of the system <b>100</b> is not limited to augmented reality displays and may include other types of mapping displays such an augmented virtuality display (e.g., using 3D models to represent real world locations and POI information), conventional 3D maps, 2D maps, and/or another other display of mapping, location, or navigation information. In this way, the system <b>100</b> can declutter and organize the presentation of POIs or other map objects on the mapping display while maintaining a visual reference (e.g., via the captured image) to the viewpoint from which the POIs were selected. As used herein, in certain embodiments, mapping, location, and navigation information (collectively referred to herein as mapping information) refers to information about the user's location (e.g., map coordinates), other locations (e.g., destinations, POIs), relationships between locations (e.g., directions for traveling between the locations, relative positions of the locations, associations between the locations), and the like.

p-0026As shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, a user equipment (UE) <b>101</b> may retrieve mapping information (e.g., POI information, 3D maps) from a map platform <b>103</b> via a communication network <b>105</b>. The mapping information may be utilized by applications <b>107</b> on the UE <b>101</b> (e.g., an augmented reality application <b>107</b>, a navigation application <b>107</b>). The applications <b>107</b> may also include a decluttering manager <b>109</b> to declutter the mapping information in the mapping displays generated by the applications <b>107</b>. Moreover, the mapping information may be included in a map database <b>111</b> associated with the map platform <b>103</b> for access by the applications <b>107</b>. In certain embodiments, mapping information is information that may be utilized by the augmented reality application <b>107</b> to provide POI and related information to the user. As discussed previously, mapping information may also include maps, satellite images, street and path information, POI information, signing information associated with maps, objects and structures associated with the maps, information about people and the locations of people, coordinate information associated with the information, etc., or a combination thereof. A POI can be a specific point location that a person may, for instance, find interesting or useful. Examples of points-of-interest can include an airport, a bakery, a dam, a landmark, a restaurant, a hotel, the location of a person, or any point interesting, useful, or significant in some way.

p-0027In certain embodiments, mapping information (e.g., POI information) may be associated with content information including live media (e.g., streaming broadcasts), stored media (e.g., stored on a network or locally), metadata associated with media, text information, location information of other user devices, or a combination thereof. The content may be provided by the service platform <b>113</b> which includes one or more services <b>113</b><i>a</i>-<b>113</b><i>n </i>(e.g., music service, mapping service, video service, social networking service, content broadcasting service, etc.), the one or more content providers <b>115</b><i>a</i>-<b>115</b><i>m </i>(e.g., online content retailers, public databases, etc.), other content source available or accessible over the communication network <b>105</b>. For example, the applications <b>107</b> may display location-related content information (e.g., content associated with a POI or with a particular location) in the mapping display in addition or as an alternate to the POI information. If there are high densities of such content information in the mapping display, the decluttering manager <b>109</b> may be used to organize and declutter the content information as well.

p-0028In one embodiment, an image capture module <b>117</b> of the UE <b>101</b> may be utilized in conjunction with the augmented reality application <b>107</b> to present location information (e.g., mapping and POI information) to the user. For example, the user may be presented with an augmented reality interface associated with the augmented reality application <b>107</b> or the navigation application <b>107</b> that presents mapping information (e.g., POI information), content information, and the like on a mapping display. In certain embodiments, the user interface may display a hybrid physical and virtual environment where 3D objects from the map database <b>111</b> are placed superimposed on top of a live (e.g., via a camera of the UE <b>101</b>) or pre-recorded image (e.g., a 360° panoramic picture) of a corresponding location. In another embodiment, the mapping information and the maps presented to the user may be a simulated 3D environment in place of or in addition to the live augmented reality display. Accordingly, the decluttering manager <b>109</b> can operate on the augmented reality mapping display, the simulated 3D display, and/or other mapping displays to declutter mapping information (e.g., POI information, location-related content information) presented therein.

p-0029As noted, the UE <b>101</b> may execute one or more of the applications <b>107</b> to view or access mapping information. As mentioned above, the mapping information may include POI information, location information, directions or associations to a location, or a combination thereof. In one example, a default setting may allow the user to view information about POIs associated with locations, structures, and other objects associated with an augmented reality display or 3D environment. For example, the user may point the UE <b>101</b> towards a location or feature in the mapping display to view corresponding POI information. More specifically, the application <b>107</b> (e.g., the augmented reality application <b>107</b>) may associate the location or feature with geographic coordinates based on the determined viewpoint. Then, the application <b>107</b> may retrieve POI information corresponding to the location from the map platform <b>103</b> for presentation in the mapping display. If the POI information includes multiple POIs that are closely located, the mapping display can become cluttered, making it difficult to discern and identify the closed located POIs. In this case, the decluttering manager <b>109</b> operates on the mapping display to reduce clutter by capturing an image of the mapping at the specified viewpoint (e.g., capturing an image currently visible in a viewfinder of the UE <b>101</b>'s camera) and displaying the POIs in a format that can render each POI distinctly (e.g., a scrollable list, non-overlapping icons, etc.). By associating the POI list with the captured image of the mapping display, the decluttering manager <b>109</b> advantageously maintains a visual reference between the actual location and the POIs visible at that location while reducing visual clutter.

p-0030By way of example, the communication network <b>105</b> of system <b>100</b> includes one or more networks such as a data network (not shown), a wireless network (not shown), a telephony network (not shown), or any combination thereof. It is contemplated that the data network may be any local area network (LAN), metropolitan area network (MAN), wide area network (WAN), a public data network (e.g., the Internet), or any other suitable packet-switched network, such as a commercially owned, proprietary packet-switched network, e.g., a proprietary cable or fiber-optic network. In addition, the wireless network may be, for example, a cellular network and may employ various technologies including enhanced data rates for global evolution (EDGE), general packet radio service (GPRS), global system for mobile communications (GSM), Internet protocol multimedia subsystem (IMS), universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS), etc., as well as any other suitable wireless medium, e.g., worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX), Long Term Evolution (LTE) networks, code division multiple access (CDMA), wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA), wireless fidelity (WiFi), satellite, mobile ad-hoc network (MANET), and the like.

p-0031The UE <b>101</b> is any type of mobile terminal, fixed terminal, or portable terminal including a mobile handset, station, unit, device, navigational device, multimedia computer, multimedia tablet, Internet node, communicator, desktop computer, laptop computer, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), or any combination thereof. It is also contemplated that the UE <b>101</b> can support any type of interface to the user (such as “wearable” circuitry, etc.).

p-0032By way of example, the UE <b>101</b>, map platform <b>103</b>, and service platform <b>113</b> communicate with each other and other components of the communication network <b>105</b> using well known, new or still developing protocols. In this context, a protocol includes a set of rules defining how the network nodes within the communication network <b>105</b> interact with each other based on information sent over the communication links. The protocols are effective at different layers of operation within each node, from generating and receiving physical signals of various types, to selecting a link for transferring those signals, to the format of information indicated by those signals, to identifying which software application executing on a computer system sends or receives the information. The conceptually different layers of protocols for exchanging information over a network are described in the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) Reference Model.

p-0033Communications between the network nodes are typically effected by exchanging discrete packets of data. Each packet typically comprises (1) header information associated with a particular protocol, and (2) payload information that follows the header information and contains information that may be processed independently of that particular protocol. In some protocols, the packet includes (3) trailer information following the payload and indicating the end of the payload information. The header includes information such as the source of the packet, its destination, the length of the payload, and other properties used by the protocol. Often, the data in the payload for the particular protocol includes a header and payload for a different protocol associated with a different, higher layer of the OSI Reference Model. The header for a particular protocol typically indicates a type for the next protocol contained in its payload. The higher layer protocol is said to be encapsulated in the lower layer protocol. The headers included in a packet traversing multiple heterogeneous networks, such as the Internet, typically include a physical (layer 1) header, a data-link (layer 2) header, an internetwork (layer 3) header and a transport (layer 4) header, and various application headers (layer 5, layer 6 and layer 7) as defined by the OSI Reference Model.

p-0034In one embodiment, the augmented reality or navigation application <b>107</b> and the map platform <b>103</b> may interact according to a client-server model. According to the client-server model, a client process sends a message including a request to a server process, and the server process responds by providing a service (e.g., providing map information). The server process may also return a message with a response to the client process. Often the client process and server process execute on different computer devices, called hosts, and communicate via a network using one or more protocols for network communications. The term “server” is conventionally used to refer to the process that provides the service, or the host computer on which the process operates. Similarly, the term “client” is conventionally used to refer to the process that makes the request, or the host computer on which the process operates. As used herein, the terms “client” and “server” refer to the processes, rather than the host computers, unless otherwise clear from the context. In addition, the process performed by a server can be broken up to run as multiple processes on multiple hosts (sometimes called tiers) for reasons that include reliability, scalability, and redundancy, among others.

p-0035<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is a diagram of the components of a decluttering manager, according to one embodiment. By way of example, the decluttering manager <b>109</b> includes one or more components for decluttering mapping information on a mapping display. It is contemplated that the functions of these components may be combined in one or more components or performed by other components of equivalent functionality. In this embodiment, the decluttering manager <b>109</b> includes at least a control logic <b>201</b> which executes at least one algorithm for executing functions of the decluttering manager <b>109</b>. For example, the control logic <b>201</b> interacts with a rendering module <b>203</b> to render or display mapping information (e.g., POI information) on a mapping display of the UE <b>101</b>. In one embodiment, the rendering module <b>203</b> presents an augmented reality display by directing the image capture module <b>117</b> of the UE <b>101</b> to provide to a user a live camera view of a current location of the UE <b>101</b>. The image capture module <b>117</b> may include a camera, a video camera, and/or other imaging device. In one embodiment, visual media is captured in the form of an image or a series of images. These images are then presented in the mapping display by the rendering module <b>203</b>.

p-0036In addition or alternatively to the augmented reality display, the rendering module <b>203</b> may provide a mapping display using non-reality based representations (e.g., a 3D simulated environment or other rendered maps) of a particular location as described above. For example, the rendering module <b>203</b> may obtain mapping data (e.g., 3D models, map tiles, map images, terrain features, etc.) from the map database <b>111</b> or the map platform <b>103</b> to render the mapping display.

p-0037After obtaining the underlying mapping display (e.g., either the augmented reality display or the rendered map), the rendering module <b>203</b> retrieves mapping information (e.g., POI and/or content information) to determine what POIs are visible in the display. The rendering module <b>203</b> then renders the visible POIs in the mapping display based, at least in part, on their location information. In other words, the rendering module renders the POIs so that the POIs are displayed in the mapping display at positions that correspond to their location information. As noted earlier, this rendering process, however, can result in a cluttered mapping display if there are multiple POIs that are closely located.

p-0038In certain embodiments, the rendering module <b>203</b> can interact with the grouping module <b>205</b> to group POIs that are closely located in the mapping display for rendering or display using one graphical element (e.g., a group icon) in the mapping display. In one embodiment, the group icons can be rendered in a way that distinguishes them from icons that represent single POIs. For example, group icons can use a different graphical design, be rendered in a different color, or be rendered in a different size.

p-0039Next, the control logic <b>201</b> directs the selection module to receive input from the UE <b>101</b> for selecting a group of the POIs. By way of example, this group may be a group created by the grouping module <b>205</b> as described above. In addition or alternatively, the group may be manually selected by the user from the mapping display. For example, the user tap on a set of overlapping or closely located POIs to select the entire group. In one embodiment, if the decluttering manager <b>109</b> is operating on an augmented reality display, the selection of a group of POIs causes the control logic <b>201</b> to direct the image capture module <b>117</b> to take a snapshot of the current camera viewfinder. In another embodiment where the mapping display is a rendered mapping display rather than a live view display, the selection can cause the rendering module to save a snapshot of the mapping display currently being displayed. In either case, the image is captured or saved with all POI information cleared from the image so that the image depicts only the underlying mapping display or recorded image of the surrounding location. In certain embodiments, the captured image can be associated with metadata indicating, for instance, the viewpoint or other characteristics of the UE <b>101</b>, application <b>107</b>, mapping display, or combination thereof at the time the image was captured.

p-0040Once the image is obtained, the control logic <b>201</b> directs the rendering module <b>203</b> to display the selected group of POIs as a list or in another non-overlapping format. The display of selected POIs is overlaid onto the captured image. In one embodiment, the captured image is used as the background image for the POI list display and can be dimmed or otherwise modified to improve the readability of the POI list. Additionally, each POI in the list can be rendered in a way to improve readability by, for instance, placing each POI in a text box, highlighting the POI, changing colors, applying animation or other effects, etc. More and then render the POIs in the mapping display based on the locations with respect to the locations displayed in the current mapping display. Moreover, if the number of POIs is greater than what can be distinctly rendered on a single screen of the mapping display, the rendering module <b>203</b> can present the POIs in a scrollable list. In addition or alternatively, the rendering module <b>203</b> can render the POIs in multiple screens of the mapping with each screen including the captured image as a background image.

p-0041<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is a diagram of the components of a user equipment capable of decluttering a mapping display, according to one embodiment. By way of example, the UE <b>101</b> includes one or more components for decluttering mapping information in a mapping display. It is contemplated that the functions of these components may be combined in one or more components or performed by other components of equivalent functionality. In this embodiment, the UE <b>101</b> includes: (1) a user interface <b>301</b> to present a mapping display including, for instance, POI information, and to receive input for selecting one or more POIs from the mapping display; (2) a map platform interface <b>303</b> to retrieve content and mapping information from the content mapping platform <b>103</b> and/or the service platform <b>113</b>; (3) a runtime module <b>305</b> for executing one or more applications (e.g., augmented reality application <b>107</b>, navigation application <b>107</b>) that includes or has access to a decluttering manager <b>109</b>; (4) a cache <b>307</b> to locally store mapping information and/or related content information; (5) a location module <b>309</b> to determine a location of the UE <b>101</b>; (6) a magnetometer module <b>311</b> to determine horizontal orientation or directional heading (e.g., a compass heading) of the UE <b>101</b>; and (7) an accelerometer module <b>313</b> to determine vertical orientation or an angle of elevation of the UE <b>101</b>; and (8) an image capture module <b>117</b>.

p-0042Both the cluttered and decluttered mapping display may be presented to the user via the user interface <b>301</b>, which may include various methods of communication. For example, the user interface <b>301</b> can have outputs including a visual component (e.g., a screen), an audio component (e.g., a verbal instructions), a physical component (e.g., haptic feedback), and other methods of communication. User inputs can include a touch-screen interface, microphone, camera, a scroll-and-click interface, a button interface, etc. Further, the user may input a request to start an application <b>107</b> (e.g., an augmented reality or navigation application) and utilize the user interface <b>301</b> to receive a mapping display including POI and/or other mapping information. Through the user interface <b>301</b>, the user may request different types of content, mapping, or location information to be presented. Further, the user may be presented with 3D or augmented reality representations of particular locations and related objects (e.g., buildings, terrain features, POIs, etc. at the particular location) as part of a graphical user interface on a screen of the UE <b>101</b>.

p-0043The map platform interface <b>303</b> is used by the runtime module <b>305</b> to communicate with the map platform <b>103</b>. In some embodiments, the interface is used to fetch content, mapping, and or location information from the map platform <b>103</b>, service platform <b>113</b>, and/or content providers <b>115</b><i>a</i>-<b>115</b><i>n. </i>The UE <b>101</b> may utilize requests in a client server format to retrieve the mapping and content information. Moreover, the UE <b>101</b> may specify location information and/or orientation information in the request to retrieve the mapping and content information. The location module <b>309</b>, magnetometer module <b>311</b>, accelerometer module <b>313</b>, and image capture module <b>117</b> may be utilized to determine location and/or orientation information used in determining along which direction the UE <b>101</b> is pointed (e.g., the viewpoint of the UE <b>101</b>) so that mapping and content information corresponding to the pointed direction can be retrieved. Further, this mapping and content information may be stored in the cache <b>307</b> to be utilized in decluttering a mapping display at the UE <b>101</b>.

p-0044In one embodiment, the location module <b>309</b> can determine a user's location. The user's location can be determined by a triangulation system such as a GPS, assisted GPS (A-GPS) A-GPS, Cell of Origin, wireless local area network triangulation, or other location extrapolation technologies. Standard GPS and A-GPS systems can use satellites <b>119</b> to pinpoint the location (e.g., longitude, latitude, and altitude) of the UE <b>101</b>. A Cell of Origin system can be used to determine the cellular tower that a cellular UE <b>101</b> is synchronized with. This information provides a coarse location of the UE <b>101</b> because the cellular tower can have a unique cellular identifier (cell-ID) that can be geographically mapped. The location module <b>309</b> may also utilize multiple technologies to detect the location of the UE <b>101</b>. GPS coordinates can provide finer detail as to the location of the UE <b>101</b>. As previously noted, the location module <b>309</b> may be utilized to determine location coordinates for use by the application <b>107</b> and/or the map platform <b>103</b>.

p-0045The magnetometer module <b>311</b> can include an instrument that can measure the strength and/or direction of a magnetic field. Using the same approach as a compass, the magnetometer is capable of determining the directional heading of a UE <b>101</b> using the magnetic field of the Earth. The front of the image capture device (e.g., a digital camera) (or another reference point on the UE <b>101</b>) can be marked as a reference point in determining direction. Thus, if the magnetic field points north compared to the reference point, the angle the UE <b>101</b> reference point is from the magnetic field is known. Simple calculations can be made to determine the direction of the UE <b>101</b>. In one embodiment, horizontal directional data obtained from a magnetometer is utilized to determine the orientation of the user. This directional information may be correlated with the location information of the UE <b>101</b> to determine where (e.g., at which geographic feature, object, or POI) the UE <b>101</b> is pointing towards. This information may be utilized to select a first person view to render mapping and content information in the mapping display.

p-0046Further, the accelerometer module <b>313</b> may include an instrument that can measure acceleration. Using a three-axis accelerometer, with axes X, Y, and Z, provides the acceleration in three directions with known angles. Once again, the front of a media capture device can be marked as a reference point in determining direction. Because the acceleration due to gravity is known, when a UE <b>101</b> is stationary, the accelerometer module <b>313</b> can determine the angle the UE <b>101</b> is pointed as compared to Earth's gravity. In one embodiment, vertical directional data obtained from an accelerometer is used to determine the angle of elevation or tilt angle at which the UE <b>101</b> is pointing. This information in conjunction with the magnetometer information and location information may be utilized to determine a viewpoint to provide content and mapping information to the user. As such, this information may be utilized in selecting available content items to present navigational information to the user. Moreover, the combined information may be utilized to determine portions of a particular 3D map or augmented reality view that may interest the user. In one embodiment, if the location information associated with one or more available content items does not correspond to the viewpoint (e.g., is not visible in the selected viewpoint), one or more indicators (e.g., arrows or pointers) may be showed on the user interface to indicate the direction towards the location of the content items.

p-0047In another embodiment, the user may manually input any one or more of the location, directional heading, and tilt angle to specify a viewpoint for displaying the user interface on the UE <b>101</b> instead of determining the viewpoint from the sensors. In this way, the user may select a “virtual viewpoint” to be a place other than the current location and pointing direction of the UE <b>101</b>.

p-0048Images for supporting a graphical user interface can be captured using the image capture module <b>117</b>. The image capture module <b>117</b> may include a camera, a video camera, a combination thereof, etc. In one embodiment, visual media is captured in the form of an image or a series of images. The image capture module <b>117</b> can obtain the image from a camera and associate the image with location information, magnetometer information, accelerometer information, or a combination thereof. As previously noted, this combination of information may be utilized to determine the viewpoint of the user by combining the location of the user, horizontal orientation information of the user, and vertical orientation information of the user. This information may be utilized to retrieve mapping and content information from the map cache <b>307</b> or the map platform <b>103</b>. In certain embodiments, the cache <b>307</b> includes all or a portion the information in the map database <b>111</b>.

p-0049<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is a flowchart of a process for decluttering a mapping display, according to one embodiment. In one embodiment, the runtime module <b>305</b> performs the process <b>400</b> and is implemented in, for instance, a chip set including a processor and a memory as shown <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref>. In certain embodiments, the map platform <b>103</b> may alternatively perform some or all of the steps of the process <b>400</b> and communicate with the UE <b>101</b> using a client server interface. The UE <b>101</b> may activate an augmented reality application <b>107</b> to utilize mapping services for presentation of mapping information. The augmented reality application <b>107</b> may execute upon the runtime module <b>305</b>.

p-0050The runtime module <b>305</b> may utilize a location module <b>309</b>, magnetometer module <b>311</b>, accelerometer module <b>313</b>, or a combination thereof to determine a viewpoint of the user as previously discussed. In other embodiments, the user may select the viewpoint based on a 3D environment. The user may select the viewpoint based on conventional means of searching a map or 3D map (e.g., by selecting a starting point and traversing the map or entering location coordinates, such as GPS coordinates or an address, of the viewpoint). From the selected viewpoint, the runtime module <b>305</b> can render a mapping display depicting a location including one or more POIs or other mapping information. More specifically, the POIs or mapping information are rendered in the mapping display based on the location information associated with each of the POIs. In other words, the POIs are rendered in the mapping display to reflect their actual locations in the geographical area depicted in the mapping display (step <b>401</b>).

p-0051As previously noted, the mapping display may represent a physical environment, which may be captured using an image capture module <b>117</b> of the UE <b>101</b> to provide an augmented reality display. In another embodiment, the image may represent a virtual 3D environment, where the user's location in the real world physical environment is represented in the virtual 3D environment. In the representation, the viewpoint of the user is mapped onto the virtual 3D environment. Moreover, a hybrid physical and virtual 3D environment may additionally be utilized to present navigational information to the user. The augmented reality application <b>107</b> may determine what mapping information to present based on user preferences or other system parameters or settings (e.g., a default setting). In certain embodiments, the mapping information includes a type (or types) of POI (e.g., a coffee shop) that the user is searching for. In other embodiments, the mapping display may also include navigational information such as a directional indicator to a location that the user is searching for (e.g., a friend, a particular POI, etc.). The location can be determined by querying the map platform <b>103</b>, which may include location information for POIs and additionally may be capable of tracking the movement of people using dynamic positioning technology (e.g., by detecting the presence of a user via GPS information). A person may utilize a device that shares the location of the person with the map platform <b>103</b> (e.g., a user tracking service, a location-aware social networking service, etc.). The shared location information may be included as a part of the mapping information rendered in the mapping display.

p-0052Next, the runtime module <b>305</b> determines whether to render the one or more of the POIs, mapping information, and/or content information that is to be presented in the mapping display as one or more groups (step <b>403</b>). The runtime module <b>305</b> may make this determination based a predetermined configuration (e.g., a user profile) specified by the user, the service provider, the network operator, and/or the like. If mapping information is configured to be grouped, the runtime module determines whether there is available display area in the mapping display to distinctly render all of the mapping information without overlapping or obscuring any of the information (step <b>405</b>). By way of example, the runtime module makes this determination by calculating the amount of display area (e.g., in pixels) needed to render the mapping information, and then compares the calculated need against the area in the mapping display that is available for displaying information.

p-0053If there is not enough display area, the runtime module <b>305</b> initiates the group process by categorizing the POIs or mapping information visible in the mapping display into one or more groups (step <b>407</b>). In one embodiment, the runtime module <b>305</b> categorizes the POIs or mapping information based on their proximity to one another. For example, POIs or mapping information this are located near each other (e.g., within a predetermined distance) can be grouped. In other embodiments, it is contemplated that the runtime module <b>305</b> may use any criteria (e.g., POI type, descriptive metadata, etc.) to group the information. Once grouped, the runtime module <b>305</b> renders the grouped information (e.g., a group of POIs) in the mapping display in place of the individual POIs within the group (step <b>409</b>).

p-0054Then, at step <b>411</b>, the runtime module <b>305</b> receives input from the device for selecting one or more POIs or groups of POIs for decluttering (step <b>411</b>). For example, the user can select a group of overlapping or obscured POIs or other mapping information to toggle the display of the selected POIs to a decluttered display. In addition or alternatively, the runtime module <b>305</b> can render all mapping information or POIs displayed in the original mapping display in decluttered form rather than just the selected information. In other words, the runtime module <b>305</b> can declutter all of the visible POIs in the display without needing the user to make a specific selection. After the mapping information is selected, the runtime module <b>305</b> causes, at least in part, capture of an image of the current mapping display (step <b>413</b>). As discussed previously, capturing an image when the mapping display is an augmented reality displays includes taking a snapshot of the current view through the viewfinder of the camera. This view represents the geographic area or location associated with the mapping information. If the mapping view is a rendered mapping display (e.g., generated by the application <b>107</b> from mapping data), the runtime module <b>305</b> captures an image of the current mapping display using, for instance, a screen capture function. Optionally, the runtime module <b>305</b> may determine the viewpoint (e.g., location, directional heading, and tilt angle) of the UE <b>101</b> when the image of the current view or mapping display is capture. This determined viewpoint information is then associated with captured image (e.g., stored in the metadata of the captured image).

p-0055In step <b>415</b>, the runtime module <b>305</b> displays the selected one or more POIs or mapping information as an overlay on the captured image in a format that distinctly renders each of the POIs. In one embodiment, the captured image can be dimmed or otherwise modified to make the selected POIs or mapping information more readable or prominent in the decluttered mapping display. As noted previously, using the captured image of the mapping display enables the runtime module <b>305</b> to quickly and easily reference the displayed POIs to the appropriate view of the geographic location associated with the POIs. For example, displaying the selected mapping information as a list without reference to the captured image makes it more difficult to identify the location or context with which the POIs are associated. Further, the captured image, in essence, locks the viewpoint to the view with the selected POIs so that the user need not point or maintain the UE <b>101</b> at a particular location, directional heading, and tilt angle. In this way, the user can more easily review the POIs or mapping information in the selected viewpoint. In addition, because the selected POIs or mapping information are rendered as an overlay that is distinct from the captured image, the runtime module <b>305</b> can separately render the two components so that the POI list can be manipulated (e.g., scrolled, selected, etc.) separately from the background image, thereby providing greater user experience flexibility.

p-0056In certain embodiments, each POI entry in the list can be independently selected. In this way, the user can select any POI in the list and then be linked to the location of the selected POI in the mapping display or to additional information related to the POI. In addition, the user may select multiple POIs in the list. For example, the runtime module <b>305</b> can enable multiple selections by highlighting each selected POI in the list (e.g., displaying a small icon next to a selected POI or otherwise distinguishing selected POIs from non-selected POIs). The runtime module <b>305</b> can then link to the locations or other information related to the selected POIs.

p-0057<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> is a flowchart of a process for rendering a decluttered mapping display on multiple screens, according to on embodiment. In one embodiment, the runtime module <b>305</b> performs the process <b>500</b> and is implemented in, for instance, a chip set including a processor and a memory as shown <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref>. In certain embodiments, the map platform <b>103</b> may alternatively perform some or all of the steps of the process <b>500</b> and communicate with the UE <b>101</b> using a client server interface. The process <b>500</b> assumes that the runtime module has already rendered an initial cluttered mapping display and received an input for selecting one or more groups of POIs or mapping information for decluttering as described with respect to the process <b>400</b> of <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>.

p-0058In step <b>501</b>, the runtime module <b>305</b> determines whether the POIs in the selected group can be distinctly rendered in one screen of the decluttered mapping display. As discussed previously, this determination can be made by, for instance, comparing a screen display area (e.g., in pixels) that is needed to display each POI according to a predetermined format. For example, the format may include text, graphics, and/or other user interface elements (e.g., arrows, bullets, indicators, etc.) that take a certain amount of display area. This display area is compared against the display area available in the decluttered display.

p-0059If all of the POIs in the selected group cannot fit on a single screen of the decluttered display, the runtime module can render multiple screens of the points of interest (step <b>503</b>) and include the captured image of the corresponding location or viewpoint on each of the multiple screens (step <b>505</b>). By way of example, the captured image is used a background image in the decluttered display. It is also contemplated that the captured image may be displayed as a thumbnail or in any other format of the decluttered mapping display so that the POIs can be associated with or referenced to the location indicated by the captured image. In addition or alternatively, the runtime module <b>305</b> can render the selected POIs in a scrollable list on a single screen of the decluttered mapping display. In either case, rendering either multiple screens or a scrollable list enables the runtime module <b>305</b> to advantageously distinctly list and declutter any number POIs in the mapping display.

p-0060<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> is a diagram of user interfaces utilized in the process of <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>, according to various embodiments. As shown, user interface <b>600</b> depicts an augmented reality mapping with star-shaped icons indicating POIs located within the viewpoint. These POIs are arranged in three clusters <b>601</b><i>a</i>-<b>601</b><i>c </i>with cluster <b>601</b><i>a </i>containing four different POIs, cluster <b>601</b><i>b </i>containing three POIs, and cluster <b>601</b><i>c </i>containing two POIs. In addition, there are two individual POIs <b>603</b><i>a </i>and <b>603</b><i>b. </i>The clusters <b>601</b><i>a</i>-<b>601</b><i>c </i>represent POIs that are located relatively close to each other so that their respective icons overlap, leading to cluttering of the display area and obscuring of the POIs. Because user interface <b>600</b> is an augmented reality display, the image displayed in the mapping is a live image of, for instance, a town square.

p-0061In one embodiment, the overlapping clusters <b>601</b><i>a</i>-<b>601</b><i>c </i>can be grouped and represented by a common icon. User interface <b>620</b> depicts the same augmented reality display in which overlapping POIs have been grouped by proximity so that closely located POIs are shown using a single icon. In this example, the large star-shaped icons <b>621</b><i>a</i>-<b>621</b><i>c </i>are grouped versions of the corresponding clusters <b>601</b><i>a</i>-<b>601</b><i>c. </i>The single POIs <b>623</b><i>a </i>and <b>623</b><i>b </i>remain the same as their counterparts in user interface <b>600</b>.

p-0062From either user interface <b>600</b> or <b>620</b>, a user can select one or more POIs or groups of POIs (e.g., clusters <b>601</b><i>a</i>-<b>601</b><i>c </i>or groups <b>621</b><i>a</i>-<b>621</b><i>c</i>) to generate a decluttered user interface <b>640</b>. In this example, the user interface <b>640</b> is generated when a user selects or taps on the cluster <b>601</b><i>b </i>of user interface <b>620</b> or the equivalent group <b>621</b><i>b </i>of user interface <b>640</b>. On the selection, the system <b>100</b> initiates capture of the current view (e.g., the town square) and uses this captured image as the background for the decluttered display. At this point, the UE <b>101</b> that is displaying the user interface <b>640</b> can move the device to a new viewpoint without disturbing or changing the decluttered mapping displayed because the decluttered display is using the captured image of the town square instead of the live view. To further differentiate the live view from the decluttered view, the background image in user interface <b>640</b> is dimmed in comparison to the actual image.

p-0063The system <b>100</b> then displays the three POIs in the selected group of POIs (e.g., cluster <b>601</b><i>b </i>or group <b>621</b><i>b</i>) in a list presented in the user interface <b>640</b>. Each decluttered POI listing <b>641</b><i>a</i>-<b>641</b><i>c </i>distinctly renders and identifies the three POIs that were formerly obscured in both the user interfaces <b>600</b> and <b>620</b>. For example, the listing <b>641</b><i>a </i>shows that the first POI is a cafe located 400 m from the viewer, the listing <b>641</b><i>b </i>shows that the second POI is a hotel located 410 m from the viewer, and the listing <b>641</b><i>c </i>shows that the third POI is a bakery located 410 m from the viewer. As shown, the decluttered user interface <b>640</b> enables the user to more easily view and identify the formerly obscured POIs. The use of the captured image of the viewpoint further enables the viewer to associate or reference the decluttered POIs with the location in the capture image.

p-0064The processes described herein for decluttering a mapping display may be advantageously implemented via software, hardware (e.g., general processor, Digital Signal Processing (DSP) chip, an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), etc.), firmware or a combination thereof. Such exemplary hardware for performing the described functions is detailed below.

p-0065<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> illustrates a computer system <b>700</b> upon which an embodiment of the invention may be implemented. Although computer system <b>700</b> is depicted with respect to a particular device or equipment, it is contemplated that other devices or equipment (e.g., network elements, servers, etc.) within <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> can deploy the illustrated hardware and components of system <b>700</b>. Computer system <b>700</b> is programmed (e.g., via computer program code or instructions) to declutter a mapping display as described herein and includes a communication mechanism such as a bus <b>710</b> for passing information between other internal and external components of the computer system <b>700</b>. Information (also called data) is represented as a physical expression of a measurable phenomenon, typically electric voltages, but including, in other embodiments, such phenomena as magnetic, electromagnetic, pressure, chemical, biological, molecular, atomic, sub-atomic and quantum interactions. For example, north and south magnetic fields, or a zero and non-zero electric voltage, represent two states (0, 1) of a binary digit (bit). Other phenomena can represent digits of a higher base. A superposition of multiple simultaneous quantum states before measurement represents a quantum bit (qubit). A sequence of one or more digits constitutes digital data that is used to represent a number or code for a character. In some embodiments, information called analog data is represented by a near continuum of measurable values within a particular range. Computer system <b>700</b>, or a portion thereof, constitutes a means for performing one or more steps of decluttering a mapping display.

p-0066A bus <b>710</b> includes one or more parallel conductors of information so that information is transferred quickly among devices coupled to the bus <b>710</b>. One or more processors <b>702</b> for processing information are coupled with the bus <b>710</b>.

p-0067A processor <b>702</b> performs a set of operations on information as specified by computer program code related to declutter a mapping display. The computer program code is a set of instructions or statements providing instructions for the operation of the processor and/or the computer system to perform specified functions. The code, for example, may be written in a computer programming language that is compiled into a native instruction set of the processor. The code may also be written directly using the native instruction set (e.g., machine language). The set of operations include bringing information in from the bus <b>710</b> and placing information on the bus <b>710</b>. The set of operations also typically include comparing two or more units of information, shifting positions of units of information, and combining two or more units of information, such as by addition or multiplication or logical operations like OR, exclusive OR (XOR), and AND. Each operation of the set of operations that can be performed by the processor is represented to the processor by information called instructions, such as an operation code of one or more digits. A sequence of operations to be executed by the processor <b>702</b>, such as a sequence of operation codes, constitute processor instructions, also called computer system instructions or, simply, computer instructions. Processors may be implemented as mechanical, electrical, magnetic, optical, chemical or quantum components, among others, alone or in combination.

p-0068Computer system <b>700</b> also includes a memory <b>704</b> coupled to bus <b>710</b>. The memory <b>704</b>, such as a random access memory (RAM) or other dynamic storage device, stores information including processor instructions for decluttering a mapping display. Dynamic memory allows information stored therein to be changed by the computer system <b>700</b>. RAM allows a unit of information stored at a location called a memory address to be stored and retrieved independently of information at neighboring addresses. The memory <b>704</b> is also used by the processor <b>702</b> to store temporary values during execution of processor instructions. The computer system <b>700</b> also includes a read only memory (ROM) <b>706</b> or other static storage device coupled to the bus <b>710</b> for storing static information, including instructions, that is not changed by the computer system <b>700</b>. Some memory is composed of volatile storage that loses the information stored thereon when power is lost. Also coupled to bus <b>710</b> is a non-volatile (persistent) storage device <b>708</b>, such as a magnetic disk, optical disk or flash card, for storing information, including instructions, that persists even when the computer system <b>700</b> is turned off or otherwise loses power.

p-0069Information, including instructions for decluttering a mapping display, is provided to the bus <b>710</b> for use by the processor from an external input device <b>712</b>, such as a keyboard containing alphanumeric keys operated by a human user, or a sensor. A sensor detects conditions in its vicinity and transforms those detections into physical expression compatible with the measurable phenomenon used to represent information in computer system <b>700</b>. Other external devices coupled to bus <b>710</b>, used primarily for interacting with humans, include a display device <b>714</b>, such as a cathode ray tube (CRT) or a liquid crystal display (LCD), or plasma screen or printer for presenting text or images, and a pointing device <b>716</b>, such as a mouse or a trackball or cursor direction keys, or motion sensor, for controlling a position of a small cursor image presented on the display <b>714</b> and issuing commands associated with graphical elements presented on the display <b>714</b>. In some embodiments, for example, in embodiments in which the computer system <b>700</b> performs all functions automatically without human input, one or more of external input device <b>712</b>, display device <b>714</b> and pointing device <b>716</b> is omitted.

p-0070In the illustrated embodiment, special purpose hardware, such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) <b>720</b>, is coupled to bus <b>710</b>. The special purpose hardware is configured to perform operations not performed by processor <b>702</b> quickly enough for special purposes. Examples of application specific ICs include graphics accelerator cards for generating images for display <b>714</b>, cryptographic boards for encrypting and decrypting messages sent over a network, speech recognition, and interfaces to special external devices, such as robotic arms and medical scanning equipment that repeatedly perform some complex sequence of operations that are more efficiently implemented in hardware.

p-0071Computer system <b>700</b> also includes one or more instances of a communications interface <b>770</b> coupled to bus <b>710</b>. Communication interface <b>770</b> provides a one-way or two-way communication coupling to a variety of external devices that operate with their own processors, such as printers, scanners and external disks. In general the coupling is with a network link <b>778</b> that is connected to a local network <b>780</b> to which a variety of external devices with their own processors are connected. For example, communication interface <b>770</b> may be a parallel port or a serial port or a universal serial bus (USB) port on a personal computer. In some embodiments, communications interface <b>770</b> is an integrated services digital network (ISDN) card or a digital subscriber line (DSL) card or a telephone modem that provides an information communication connection to a corresponding type of telephone line. In some embodiments, a communication interface <b>770</b> is a cable modem that converts signals on bus <b>710</b> into signals for a communication connection over a coaxial cable or into optical signals for a communication connection over a fiber optic cable. As another example, communications interface <b>770</b> may be a local area network (LAN) card to provide a data communication connection to a compatible LAN, such as Ethernet. Wireless links may also be implemented. For wireless links, the communications interface <b>770</b> sends or receives or both sends and receives electrical, acoustic or electromagnetic signals, including infrared and optical signals, that carry information streams, such as digital data. For example, in wireless handheld devices, such as mobile telephones like cell phones, the communications interface <b>770</b> includes a radio band electromagnetic transmitter and receiver called a radio transceiver. In certain embodiments, the communications interface <b>770</b> enables connection to the communication network <b>105</b> for decluttering a mapping display.

p-0072The term “computer-readable medium” as used herein to refers to any medium that participates in providing information to processor <b>702</b>, including instructions for execution. Such a medium may take many forms, including, but not limited to computer-readable storage medium (e.g., non-volatile media, volatile media), and transmission media. Non-transitory media, such as non-volatile media, include, for example, optical or magnetic disks, such as storage device <b>708</b>. Volatile media include, for example, dynamic memory <b>704</b>. Transmission media include, for example, coaxial cables, copper wire, fiber optic cables, and carrier waves that travel through space without wires or cables, such as acoustic waves and electromagnetic waves, including radio, optical and infrared waves. Signals include man-made transient variations in amplitude, frequency, phase, polarization or other physical properties transmitted through the transmission media. Common forms of computer-readable media include, for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, CDRW, DVD, any other optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, optical mark sheets, any other physical medium with patterns of holes or other optically recognizable indicia, a RAM, a PROM, an EPROM, a FLASH-EPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, a carrier wave, or any other medium from which a computer can read. The term computer-readable storage medium is used herein to refer to any computer-readable medium except transmission media.

p-0073Logic encoded in one or more tangible media includes one or both of processor instructions on a computer-readable storage media and special purpose hardware, such as ASIC <b>720</b>.

p-0074Network link <b>778</b> typically provides information communication using transmission media through one or more networks to other devices that use or process the information. For example, network link <b>778</b> may provide a connection through local network <b>780</b> to a host computer <b>782</b> or to equipment <b>784</b> operated by an Internet Service Provider (ISP). ISP equipment <b>784</b> in turn provides data communication services through the public, world-wide packet-switching communication network of networks now commonly referred to as the Internet <b>790</b>.

p-0075A computer called a server host <b>792</b> connected to the Internet hosts a process that provides a service in response to information received over the Internet. For example, server host <b>792</b> hosts a process that provides information representing video data for presentation at display <b>714</b>. It is contemplated that the components of system <b>700</b> can be deployed in various configurations within other computer systems, e.g., host <b>782</b> and server <b>792</b>.

p-0076At least some embodiments of the invention are related to the use of computer system <b>700</b> for implementing some or all of the techniques described herein. According to one embodiment of the invention, those techniques are performed by computer system <b>700</b> in response to processor <b>702</b> executing one or more sequences of one or more processor instructions contained in memory <b>704</b>. Such instructions, also called computer instructions, software and program code, may be read into memory <b>704</b> from another computer-readable medium such as storage device <b>708</b> or network link <b>778</b>. Execution of the sequences of instructions contained in memory <b>704</b> causes processor <b>702</b> to perform one or more of the method steps described herein. In alternative embodiments, hardware, such as ASIC <b>720</b>, may be used in place of or in combination with software to implement the invention. Thus, embodiments of the invention are not limited to any specific combination of hardware and software, unless otherwise explicitly stated herein.

p-0077The signals transmitted over network link <b>778</b> and other networks through communications interface <b>770</b>, carry information to and from computer system <b>700</b>. Computer system <b>700</b> can send and receive information, including program code, through the networks <b>780</b>, <b>790</b> among others, through network link <b>778</b> and communications interface <b>770</b>. In an example using the Internet <b>790</b>, a server host <b>792</b> transmits program code for a particular application, requested by a message sent from computer <b>700</b>, through Internet <b>790</b>, ISP equipment <b>784</b>, local network <b>780</b> and communications interface <b>770</b>. The received code may be executed by processor <b>702</b> as it is received, or may be stored in memory <b>704</b> or in storage device <b>708</b> or other non-volatile storage for later execution, or both. In this manner, computer system <b>700</b> may obtain application program code in the form of signals on a carrier wave.

p-0078Various forms of computer readable media may be involved in carrying one or more sequence of instructions or data or both to processor <b>702</b> for execution. For example, instructions and data may initially be carried on a magnetic disk of a remote computer such as host <b>782</b>. The remote computer loads the instructions and data into its dynamic memory and sends the instructions and data over a telephone line using a modem. A modem local to the computer system <b>700</b> receives the instructions and data on a telephone line and uses an infra-red transmitter to convert the instructions and data to a signal on an infra-red carrier wave serving as the network link <b>778</b>. An infrared detector serving as communications interface <b>770</b> receives the instructions and data carried in the infrared signal and places information representing the instructions and data onto bus <b>710</b>. Bus <b>710</b> carries the information to memory <b>704</b> from which processor <b>702</b> retrieves and executes the instructions using some of the data sent with the instructions. The instructions and data received in memory <b>704</b> may optionally be stored on storage device <b>708</b>, either before or after execution by the processor <b>702</b>.

p-0079<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref> illustrates a chip set <b>800</b> upon which an embodiment of the invention may be implemented. Chip set <b>800</b> is programmed to declutter a mapping display as described herein and includes, for instance, the processor and memory components described with respect to FIG. <b>7</b> incorporated in one or more physical packages (e.g., chips). By way of example, a physical package includes an arrangement of one or more materials, components, and/or wires on a structural assembly (e.g., a baseboard) to provide one or more characteristics such as physical strength, conservation of size, and/or limitation of electrical interaction. It is contemplated that in certain embodiments the chip set can be implemented in a single chip. Chip set <b>800</b>, or a portion thereof, constitutes a means for performing one or more steps of decluttering a mapping display.

p-0080In one embodiment, the chip set <b>800</b> includes a communication mechanism such as a bus <b>801</b> for passing information among the components of the chip set <b>800</b>. A processor <b>803</b> has connectivity to the bus <b>801</b> to execute instructions and process information stored in, for example, a memory <b>805</b>. The processor <b>803</b> may include one or more processing cores with each core configured to perform independently. A multi-core processor enables multiprocessing within a single physical package. Examples of a multi-core processor include two, four, eight, or greater numbers of processing cores. Alternatively or in addition, the processor <b>803</b> may include one or more microprocessors configured in tandem via the bus <b>801</b> to enable independent execution of instructions, pipelining, and multithreading. The processor <b>803</b> may also be accompanied with one or more specialized components to perform certain processing functions and tasks such as one or more digital signal processors (DSP) <b>807</b>, or one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC) <b>809</b>. A DSP <b>807</b> typically is configured to process real-world signals (e.g., sound) in real time independently of the processor <b>803</b>. Similarly, an ASIC <b>809</b> can be configured to performed specialized functions not easily performed by a general purposed processor. Other specialized components to aid in performing the inventive functions described herein include one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGA) (not shown), one or more controllers (not shown), or one or more other special-purpose computer chips.

p-0081The processor <b>803</b> and accompanying components have connectivity to the memory <b>805</b> via the bus <b>801</b>. The memory <b>805</b> includes both dynamic memory (e.g., RAM, magnetic disk, writable optical disk, etc.) and static memory (e.g., ROM, CD-ROM, etc.) for storing executable instructions that when executed perform the inventive steps described herein to declutter a mapping display. The memory <b>805</b> also stores the data associated with or generated by the execution of the inventive steps.

p-0082<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref> is a diagram of exemplary components of a mobile terminal (e.g., handset) for communications, which is capable of operating in the system of <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, according to one embodiment. In some embodiments, mobile terminal <b>900</b>, or a portion thereof, constitutes a means for performing one or more steps of decluttering a mapping display. Generally, a radio receiver is often defined in terms of front-end and back-end characteristics. The front-end of the receiver encompasses all of the Radio Frequency (RF) circuitry whereas the back-end encompasses all of the base-band processing circuitry. As used in this application, the term “circuitry” refers to both: (1) hardware-only implementations (such as implementations in only analog and/or digital circuitry), and (2) to combinations of circuitry and software (and/or firmware) (such as, if applicable to the particular context, to a combination of processor(s), including digital signal processor(s), software, and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a mobile phone or server, to perform various functions). This definition of “circuitry” applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this application and if applicable to the particular context, the term “circuitry” would also cover an implementation of merely a processor (or multiple processors) and its (or their) accompanying software/or firmware. The term “circuitry” would also cover if applicable to the particular context, for example, a baseband integrated circuit or applications processor integrated circuit in a mobile phone or a similar integrated circuit in a cellular network device or other network devices.

p-0083Pertinent internal components of the telephone include a Main Control Unit (MCU) <b>903</b>, a Digital Signal Processor (DSP) <b>905</b>, and a receiver/transmitter unit including a microphone gain control unit and a speaker gain control unit. A main display unit <b>907</b> provides a display to the user in support of various applications and mobile terminal functions that perform or support the steps of decluttering a mapping display. The display <b>9</b> includes display circuitry configured to display at least a portion of a user interface of the mobile terminal (e.g., mobile telephone). Additionally, the display <b>907</b> and display circuitry are configured to facilitate user control of at least some functions of the mobile terminal. An audio function circuitry <b>909</b> includes a microphone <b>911</b> and microphone amplifier that amplifies the speech signal output from the microphone <b>911</b>. The amplified speech signal output from the microphone <b>911</b> is fed to a coder/decoder (CODEC) <b>913</b>.

p-0084A radio section <b>915</b> amplifies power and converts frequency in order to communicate with a base station, which is included in a mobile communication system, via antenna <b>917</b>. The power amplifier (PA) <b>919</b> and the transmitter/modulation circuitry are operationally responsive to the MCU <b>903</b>, with an output from the PA <b>919</b> coupled to the duplexer <b>921</b> or circulator or antenna switch, as known in the art. The PA <b>919</b> also couples to a battery interface and power control unit <b>920</b>.

p-0085In use, a user of mobile terminal <b>901</b> speaks into the microphone <b>911</b> and his or her voice along with any detected background noise is converted into an analog voltage. The analog voltage is then converted into a digital signal through the Analog to Digital Converter (ADC) <b>923</b>. The control unit <b>903</b> routes the digital signal into the DSP <b>905</b> for processing therein, such as speech encoding, channel encoding, encrypting, and interleaving. In one embodiment, the processed voice signals are encoded, by units not separately shown, using a cellular transmission protocol such as global evolution (EDGE), general packet radio service (GPRS), global system for mobile communications (GSM), Internet protocol multimedia subsystem (IMS), universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS), etc., as well as any other suitable wireless medium, e.g., microwave access (WiMAX), Long Term Evolution (LTE) networks, code division multiple access (CDMA), wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA), wireless fidelity (WiFi), satellite, and the like.

p-0086The encoded signals are then routed to an equalizer <b>925</b> for compensation of any frequency-dependent impairments that occur during transmission though the air such as phase and amplitude distortion. After equalizing the bit stream, the modulator <b>927</b> combines the signal with a RF signal generated in the RF interface <b>929</b>. The modulator <b>927</b> generates a sine wave by way of frequency or phase modulation. In order to prepare the signal for transmission, an up-converter <b>931</b> combines the sine wave output from the modulator <b>927</b> with another sine wave generated by a synthesizer <b>933</b> to achieve the desired frequency of transmission. The signal is then sent through a PA <b>919</b> to increase the signal to an appropriate power level. In practical systems, the PA <b>919</b> acts as a variable gain amplifier whose gain is controlled by the DSP <b>905</b> from information received from a network base station. The signal is then filtered within the duplexer <b>921</b> and optionally sent to an antenna coupler <b>935</b> to match impedances to provide maximum power transfer. Finally, the signal is transmitted via antenna <b>917</b> to a local base station. An automatic gain control (AGC) can be supplied to control the gain of the final stages of the receiver. The signals may be forwarded from there to a remote telephone which may be another cellular telephone, other mobile phone or a land-line connected to a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), or other telephony networks.

p-0087Voice signals transmitted to the mobile terminal <b>901</b> are received via antenna <b>917</b> and immediately amplified by a low noise amplifier (LNA) <b>937</b>. A down-converter <b>939</b> lowers the carrier frequency while the demodulator <b>941</b> strips away the RF leaving only a digital bit stream. The signal then goes through the equalizer <b>925</b> and is processed by the DSP <b>905</b>. A Digital to Analog Converter (DAC) <b>943</b> converts the signal and the resulting output is transmitted to the user through the speaker <b>945</b>, all under control of a Main Control Unit (MCU) <b>903</b>—which can be implemented as a Central Processing Unit (CPU) (not shown).

p-0088The MCU <b>903</b> receives various signals including input signals from the keyboard <b>947</b>. The keyboard <b>947</b> and/or the MCU <b>903</b> in combination with other user input components (e.g., the microphone <b>911</b>) comprise a user interface circuitry for managing user input. The MCU <b>903</b> runs a user interface software to facilitate user control of at least some functions of the mobile terminal <b>901</b> to declutter a mapping display. The MCU <b>903</b> also delivers a display command and a switch command to the display <b>907</b> and to the speech output switching controller, respectively. Further, the MCU <b>903</b> exchanges information with the DSP <b>905</b> and can access an optionally incorporated SIM card <b>949</b> and a memory <b>951</b>. In addition, the MCU <b>903</b> executes various control functions required of the terminal. The DSP <b>905</b> may, depending upon the implementation, perform any of a variety of conventional digital processing functions on the voice signals. Additionally, DSP <b>905</b> determines the background noise level of the local environment from the signals detected by microphone <b>911</b> and sets the gain of microphone <b>911</b> to a level selected to compensate for the natural tendency of the user of the mobile terminal <b>901</b>.

p-0089The CODEC <b>913</b> includes the ADC <b>923</b> and DAC <b>943</b>. The memory <b>951</b> stores various data including call incoming tone data and is capable of storing other data including music data received via, e.g., the global Internet. The software module could reside in RAM memory, flash memory, registers, or any other form of writable storage medium known in the art. The memory device <b>951</b> may be, but not limited to, a single memory, CD, DVD, ROM, RAM, EEPROM, optical storage, or any other non-volatile storage medium capable of storing digital data.

p-0090An optionally incorporated SIM card <b>949</b> carries, for instance, important information, such as the cellular phone number, the carrier supplying service, subscription details, and security information. The SIM card <b>949</b> serves primarily to identify the mobile terminal <b>901</b> on a radio network. The card <b>949</b> also contains a memory for storing a personal telephone number registry, text messages, and user specific mobile terminal settings.

p-0091While the invention has been described in connection with a number of embodiments and implementations, the invention is not so limited but covers various obvious modifications and equivalent arrangements, which fall within the purview of the appended claims. Although features of the invention are expressed in certain combinations among the claims, it is contemplated that these features can be arranged in any combination and order.