Networks In Motion Issued U.S. Patent for Searching Points of Interest Using GPS-Enabled Device

ALISO VIEJO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Networks In Motion (NIM), the award-winning wireless navigation and location-based services (LBS) company, today announced that it was issued U.S. Patent No. 7,321,826 for “Point of Interest Spatial Rating Search Method and System,” a method allowing users to obtain ratings or other useful information when searching for a point of interest (POI) using a mobile GPS-enabled device that retrieves information stored on a server rather than the device, also known as ‘off-board’ data.

“We had a vision that GPS would streamline finding points of interest and other useful off-board information for local search by mobile users”

The patent is related to the use of a GPS device to search for points of interests using a variety of search methods. For example, in accordance with one embodiment described in the patent, a user may initiate a local search for the lowest gas prices in their area, find ‘top-rated’ restaurants, find a nearby bookstore, find ‘open’ restaurants, or find places that have coupons. Other examples include sub-categorical searches, such as searching for ‘seafood’ or ‘Mexican food’ within a restaurant search.

Some of the patented features have already been brought to market in NIM’s mobile phone navigation and local search applications on major wireless carriers. Currently, NIM has more than 50 worldwide patents and patent applications that are directed to location-based technology, including navigational functions, search features, social networking using GPS-enabled devices, and others.

“We had a vision that GPS would streamline finding points of interest and other useful off-board information for local search by mobile users,” said Doug Antone, president and CEO of Networks In Motion. “There are endless opportunities for creating unique applications using GPS-enabled devices and we look forward to continuing to bring innovative products to our customers, using the patents we have in place, to help them navigate their lives.”

About Networks In Motion

Networks In Motion is an award-winning wireless navigation and local search company, with products on most major wireless carriers. Networks In Motion powers: AAA Mobile^® on Verizon Wireless, Alltel, and Sprint; Verizon Wireless’ VZ Navigator; YellowPages.com Mobile, which is currently deployed on AT&T Alltel’s Axcess Mobile Guide navigator; U.S. Cellular’s Your Navigator; TELUS Navigator and TELUS Kid Find, making NIM’s NAVBuilder platform the most widely used mobile phone navigation service in North America. Founded in 2000, the company is privately held and headquartered in Aliso Viejo, Calif., with international offices in Sweden and Spain. More information is available at http://www.networksinmotion.com.