System and method for context enhanced mapping

Abstract

A system and method for Context Enhanced Mapping. A request is received from a user over a network for a map comprising an identification of a physical location, and at least one criteria. The physical location is mapped. Spatial, temporal, topical, and social data available to the network relating to the physical location and criteria is retrieved using a global index of data available to the network and prioritized for inclusion based upon the user and context of the request. The map of the physical location and at least some of the retrieved spatial, temporal, topical, and social data is displayed on a display medium.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method comprising the steps of:
 receiving, over a network, a request for a map from a user, wherein the request comprises an identification of a physical location, and at least one criteria;   mapping, via the network, the physical location;   retrieving spatial, temporal, topical, and social data available to the network relating to the physical location and the at least one criteria using a global index of data available to the network;   displaying, on a display medium, the map of the physical location and at least some of the retrieved spatial, temporal, topical, and social data.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the request for a map additionally includes an identification of the requesting user and the retrieving step retrieves spatial, temporal, topical, and social data available to the network relating to the requesting user, the physical location and the at least one criteria using a global index of data available to the network 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the at least one criteria is a social criteria. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the at least one criteria is a topical criteria. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the at least one criteria is a temporal criteria. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the request for a map specifies a group of users. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the at least some of the retrieved spatial, temporal, topical, and social data displayed on the map includes sponsored content. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  comprising the additional steps of:
 receiving, over the network, user specified data to be stored with the map of the physical location; 
 storing the map of the physical location and the user specified data on the network. 
 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the user specified data includes sponsored content. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the user specified data includes user annotations. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the user annotations include a route labeled for a specific purpose. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the user annotations include at least one type of annotation selected from the list: reviews, ratings and rankings 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the user annotations include multimedia content. 
     
     
         14 . A method comprising the steps of:
 receiving, over a network, a request for a map from a first user,   wherein the request comprises an identification of a physical location, and at least one criteria;   searching via the network, for at least one map stored on the   network relating to the physical location and the at least one criteria,   wherein each map contains additional data which was added to the map by a second user;   receiving a selection, via the network, of one of the at least one   map stored on the network which relates to the physical location and the at least one criteria   displaying, on a display medium, the selected map.   
     
     
         15 . A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for a method comprising the steps:
 receiving, over a network, a request for a map from a first user,   wherein the request comprises an identification of a physical location, and at least one criteria;   searching via the network, for at least one map stored on the network relating to the physical location and the at least one criteria, wherein each map contains additional data which was added to the map by a second user;   receiving a selection, via the network, of one of the at least one   map stored on the network which relates to the physical location and the at least one criteria   displaying, on a display medium, the selected map.