System for interaction of navigation and connectivity programs and personal information management applications

Abstract

A system and method for providing fluent interaction between connectivity applications, personal information management applications and navigation applications. The present invention enables a user to launch navigation application directly from a “Contacts” application. This invention also enables the same result to be achieved in reverse, enabling direct access from a navigation application to contact information, eliminating the need for the user to manually access and enter information.

1 . An electronic device, comprising: 
 a processor; and    a memory unit operatively connected to the processor and including: 
 a navigation program for directing a user of the device to a remote location,  
 a personal information management program, and  
 an input association mechanism operatively connected to the navigation program and the personal information management program,  
   wherein actuation of the input association mechanism automatically associates the personal information management program with the navigation program.    
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the input mechanism is built into the navigation program.  
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the input mechanism is built into the personal information management program.  
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the input mechanism is built into the personal information management program, and wherein actuation of the input mechanism automatically enters the remote location into the navigation program.  
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the input mechanism is built into the navigation program, and wherein actuation of the input mechanism automatically opens the personal information management program to permit designation of the remote location.  
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the input mechanism is accessible via a computer icon.  
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the input mechanism is accessible via an option in a drop-down program menu.  
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a data communication link operatively connected to the processor, the data communication link gathering landmark location information, and wherein actuation of the input mechanism automatically enters the landmark location information into the navigation program.  
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the remote location is automatically entered into the navigation program when the device enters within a designated range of the remote location.  
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the personal information management program comprises a messaging program.  
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the memory unit further includes a connectivity program enabling the transmittal of information to the navigation program.  
   
   
       12 . A method for implementing a navigation program, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a personal information management program;    accessing contact information for a remote location; and    instructing the personal information management system to transfer the contact information to the navigation program.    
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the personal information management program comprises a messaging system.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the step of instructing the personal information management system includes actuating a computer icon.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the step of instructing the personal information management system includes actuating an option in a drop-down program menu.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising the step of actuating an input mechanism operatively connected to the navigation program, and wherein the actuation of the input mechanism directs the user to the contact information.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising the steps of: 
 receiving landmark information from a remote terminal through a connectivity program; and    automatically entering the landmark location information into navigation program.    
   
   
       18 . A computer program product for use with an electronic device, comprising: 
 a navigation program;    a personal information management program, including information concerning a remote location;    computer code for providing an input mechanism operatively connected to the navigation program and the personal information management program; and    computer code for automatically associating the personal information management program with the navigation program upon actuation of the input mechanism.    
   
   
       19 . The computer program product of  claim 18 , wherein the input mechanism is accessible via a computer icon.  
   
   
       20 . The computer program product of  claim 18 , wherein the input mechanism is accessible via an option in a drop-down program menu.  
   
   
       21 . The computer program product of  claim 18 , wherein the input mechanism is built into the personal information management program, and wherein actuation of the input mechanism automatically enters the remote location into the navigation program.  
   
   
       22 . The computer program product of  claim 17 , wherein the input mechanism is built into the navigation program, and wherein actuation of the input mechanism automatically opens the personal information management program to permit designation of the remote location.  
   
   
       23 . The computer program product of  claim 17 , further comprising computer code for automatically entering information concerning a landmark into the navigation program when the device enters within a designated range of the landmark.  
   
   
       24 . The computer program product of  claim 17 , further comprising a connectivity program for transmitting information from the remote location to the navigation program.  
   
   
       25 . A module for use with an electronic device, comprising: 
 a memory unit for storing information and including: 
 a connectivity program for transmitting information from a remote location;  
 a navigation program for directing a user of the device to the remote location;  
 a personal information management program; and  
 an input association mechanism operatively connected to the navigation program and the personal information management program,  
   wherein actuation of the input association mechanism automatically associates the personal information management program with the navigation program.    
   
   
       26 . The module of  claim 25 , wherein the remote location is automatically entered into the navigation program when the device enters within a designated range of the remote location.  
   
   
       27 . The module of  claim 25 , wherein the personal information management program comprises a messaging program.  
   
   
       28 . The module of  claim 25 , wherein the input mechanism is built into the navigation program, and wherein actuation of the input mechanism automatically opens the personal information management program to permit designation of the remote location.  
   
   
       29 . The module of  claim 25 , wherein the input mechanism is built into the navigation program.  
   
   
       30 . The module of  claim 25 , wherein the input mechanism is built into the personal information management program.  
   
   
       31 . The module of  claim 25 , wherein the connectivity program transmits landmark location information, and wherein actuation of the input mechanism automatically enters the landmark location information into the navigation program.