System and method for providing user controlled directional feedback

Abstract

A system and method for providing directional feedback. A communication session is established between a first directional interface and one or more directional interfaces through at least a server. A free form path is received at a server from a first directional interface utilized by a first user. The free from path is a continuous input between at least a start point and an end point of the free form path for one or more user utilizing the one or more directional interfaces. The free form path is converted to directional feedback. The free form path is aligned to available paths communicated by the first directional interface utilizing mapping data to generate the directional feedback for the one or more users utilizing the one or more directional interfaces. The free form path is aligned to available paths communicated by the first directional interface utilizing mapping information to generate the directional feedback. The directional feedback is sent from the server to one or more directional interfaces utilized by one or more users associated with the first directional interface.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A method for providing directional feedback comprising:
 establishing a communication session between a first directional interface and one or more directional interfaces through a least a server;   receiving, at the server, a free form path manually input by a first user utilizing the first directional interface, the free from path is a continuous input between at least a start point and an end point of the free form path for one or more user utilizing the one or more directional interfaces;   converting the free form path to directional feedback, the free form path is aligned to available paths communicated by the first directional interface utilizing mapping data to generate the directional feedback for the one or more users utilizing the one or more directional interfaces; and   sending the directional feedback from the server to the one or more directional interfaces associated with the one or more users.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the continuous input is manually provided utilizing a finger of the first user or a stylus utilized by the first user. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the continuous input is provided by the first user utilizing a touch screen or virtual buttons associated with the first direction interface. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 communicating an indicator at the one or more directional interfaces in response to receiving the directional feedback.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the server communicates with the first directional interface and the one or more directional interfaces in part through one or more wireless networks. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first directional interface and the one or more directional interfaces are displayed according to user preferences for the first user and the one or more users, respectively. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 determining the headings of the one or more users associated with the one or more directional interfaces; and   communicating the headings of the one or more users associated with the one or more directional interfaces to the first directional interface.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the headings each include a location, direction of travel, and a speed. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first direction interface is a wireless device executing a mobile application, wherein the one or more directional interfaces are wireless devices executing the mobile application, and wherein the mobile application communicates through the server. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the directional feedback is overlaid on a map to provide instructions for arriving at the end point. 
     
     
         11 . A directional interface system, comprising:
 a server comprising at least a processor configured to execute a set of instructions and a memory configured to store the set of instructions, the set of instructions are executed to receive a free form path from a user utilizing a first directional interface, the free from path is a continuous input between at least a start point and an end point of the free form path for one or more user utilizing the one or more directional interfaces convert the free form path to directional feedback, the free form path is aligned to available paths communicated by the first directional interface utilizing mapping information to generate the directional feedback;   one or more transceivers in communication with the server, wherein the one or more transceivers send the directional feedback from the server to the one or more directional interfaces utilized by one or more users.   
     
     
         12 . The directional interface system of  claim 11 , wherein the directional interface system securely communicates with the first directional interface and the one or more directional interfaces to ensure privacy and secure communications through one or more wireless networks. 
     
     
         13 . The directional interface system of  claim 11 , wherein the first directional interface and the one or more directional interfaces execute a mapping application that communicates with the server through the one or more transceivers, wherein the mapping application displays the directional feedback overlaid on a map of an associated area. 
     
     
         14 . The directional interface system of  claim 13 , wherein the mapping interface displays a location, speed, and direction of the one or more directional interfaces associated utilized by the one or more users, wherein the. 
     
     
         15 . The directional interface system of  claim 11 , wherein the directional feedback includes turn-by-turn instructions for the one or more directional interfaces associated with the one or more users to travel to the end point. 
     
     
         16 . The directional interface of  claim 11 , wherein the continuous input is manually provided utilizing a finger of the first user or a stylus utilized by the first user, and wherein the continuous input is provided by the first user utilizing a touch screen or virtual buttons associated with the first direction interface. 
     
     
         17 . A server for processing directional feedback, comprising:
 a processor configured to execute a set of instructions; and   a memory configured to store the set of instructions, wherein the set of instructions are executed to:
 establish a communication session between a first directional interface and one or more directional interfaces through a least a server; 
 receive, at the server, a free form path manually input by a first user utilizing the first directional interface, the free from path is a continuous input between at least a start point and an end point of the free form path for one or more user utilizing the one or more directional interfaces; 
 convert the free form path to directional feedback, the free form path is aligned to available paths communicated by the first directional interface utilizing mapping data to generate the directional feedback for the one or more users utilizing the one or more directional interfaces; and 
 send the directional feedback from the server to the one or more directional interfaces associated with the one or more users. 
   
     
     
         18 . The server of  claim 17 , wherein the first directional interface and the one or more directional interfaces execute a mapping application displaying mapping information and the directional feedback, and wherein the directional feedback includes turn-by-turn instructions for the one or more directional interfaces utilized by the one or more users. 
     
     
         19 . The wireless device of  claim 17 , wherein the set of instructions are further executed to:
 determine the headings of the one or more users; and   compensate for delays in receiving the heading of the one or more users, wherein the heading includes a location, direction of travel, and a speed.   
     
     
         20 . The wireless device of  claim 17 , wherein the continuous input is manually provided utilizing a finger of the first user or a stylus utilized by the first user, wherein the continuous input is provided by the first user utilizing a touch screen or virtual buttons associated with the first direction interface.