Visual Representation of Contact Location

Abstract

A method for visually representing information on a display of a portable electronic device includes receiving location coordinates from at least one other portable electronic device, plotting a visual identifier on a map and displaying the map on the display of the portable electronic device. The position of the visual identifier corresponds to the location coordinates received from the at least one other portable electronic device, which correspond to an actual location of the at least one other portable electronic device. The appearance of the visual identifier is selected to depict the status of the user of the at least one other portable electronic device.

1 . A method for visually representing information on a display of a portable electronic device, said method comprising:
 receiving location information of at least one other portable electronic device;   receiving status information of said at least one other portable electronic device; and   displaying (i) a map at said portable electronic device, (ii) a visual identifier on said map corresponding to said location information of said at least one other portable electronic device, and (iii) said status information of said at least one other portable electronic device.   
     
     
         2 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the receiving of said location information comprises receiving location coordinates. 
     
     
         3 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the receiving of said location information and said status information is in response to a request from said portable electronic device. 
     
     
         4 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the receiving of said location information and said status information is via a server of a communication system. 
     
     
         5 . A method as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said location coordinates are derived from location information input at said at least one other portable electronic device. 
     
     
         6 . A method as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said location coordinates are based on Global Positioning System technology. 
     
     
         7 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said map is generated using mapping software. 
     
     
         8 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said status information is based on information input at said at least one other portable electronic device. 
     
     
         9 . A method as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein said status information is not real-time availability information. 
     
     
         10 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said status information comprises an indication of the status of use of the said at least one other portable electronic device. 
     
     
         11 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said status information comprises an indication of the status of the user. 
     
     
         12 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said status information comprises an indication that the user is any one of: busy, not available, typing or available. 
     
     
         13 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said visual identifier comprises an avatar that is unique to a user of the at least one other portable electronic device. 
     
     
         14 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising detecting a focus on said visual identifier and displaying contact information associated with a user of said at least one other portable electronic device. 
     
     
         15 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a user associated with said at least one other portable electronic device is one of a plurality of contacts of a first user of the portable electronic device. 
     
     
         16 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising receiving updated location information and updated status information. 
     
     
         17 . A method as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said location coordinates correspond to an actual location of said at least one other portable electronic device. 
     
     
         18 . A portable electronic device comprising:
 a processor for receiving location information and status information of at least one other portable electronic device;   a display for displaying (i) a map, (ii) a visual identifier on said map, the location of said visual identifier corresponding to said location information; and (iii)   said status information.   
     
     
         19 . A portable electronic device as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein said device is arranged to transmit a request to a server for said location information and said status information of said at least one other portable electronic device. 
     
     
         20 . A portable electronic device as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein said device is arranged to receive location coordinates derived from location information input at said at least one other portable electronic device. 
     
     
         21 . A portable electronic device as claimed in  claim 20 , wherein said device is arranged to receive location coordinates based on Global Positioning System technology. 
     
     
         22 . A portable electronic device as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein said status information is based on information input at said at least one other portable electronic device. 
     
     
         23 . A portable electronic device as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein said status information is not real-time availability information. 
     
     
         24 . A portable electronic device as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein said status information comprises an indication of the status of use of the said at least one other portable electronic device. 
     
     
         25 . A portable electronic device as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein said status information comprises an indication of the status of the user. 
     
     
         26 . A portable electronic device as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein said device is arranged to receive said status information comprising an indication that the user is any one of: busy, not available, typing or available. 
     
     
         27 . A portable electronic device as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein said device is arranged to use as a visual identifier an avatar that is unique to a user of said at least one other portable electronic device. 
     
     
         28 . A portable electronic device as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein said device is arranged to detect a focus on said visual identifier and to display contact information associated with a user of said at least one other portable electronic device. 
     
     
         29 . A portable electronic device as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein said device is arranged to receive updated location information and updated status information. 
     
     
         30 . A portable electronic device as claimed in  claim 20 , wherein said location coordinates correspond to an actual location of said at least one other portable electronic device.