An Integrated Routing / Mapping
Information System (IRMIS) links desktop
personal computer cartographic applications to one or more handheld organizer, personal digital assistant (PDA) or "palmtop" devices. Such devices may be optionally equipped with, or connected to, portable
Global Positioning System (GPS) or equivalent position sensing device. Desktop application facilitates user selection of areas, starts, stops, destinations, maps and / or point and / or
route information. It optionally includes supplemental online information, preferably for transfer to the PDA or equivalent device. Users' options include
route information, area, and
route maps. Maps and related route information are configured with differential detail and levels of magnitude. Used in the field, in conjunction with
GPS receiver, the PDA device is configured to display directions, text and map formats, the user's current position, heading, speed, elevation, and so forth. Audible signals identifying the next turn along the user's planned route are also provided. The user can pan across maps and
zoom between two or more map scales, levels of detail, or magnitudes. The IRMIS also provides for "automatic zooming," e.g., to show greater detail or closer detail as the user approaches a destination, or to larger scale and lower resolution to show the user's overall planned route between points of interest. The IRMIS also enables the user to mark or
record specific locations and / or log actual travel routes, using GPS position information. These annotated location marks and / or "
breadcrumb" or GPS
log data can be saved, uploaded, displayed, or otherwise processed on the user's desktop geographic information or cartographic
system. The IRMIS application and data may be distributed online and / or in tangible media in limited and advanced manipulation formats.