HK1145115B - Method and system for communication - Google Patents

Description

Communication method and system

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a communication system, and more particularly, to a method and system for an active coverage mapping service.

Background

The communication system includes a wired communication system and a wireless communication system. A wired communication system is a Network that transmits data using a wired medium, such as Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), Wide Area Network (WAN), and Local Area Network (LAN). The Wireless communication system is a Network using a Network link between a service terminal and a Network infrastructure, such as a cellular phone system, a satellite communication system, a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), and a Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN). A wireless communication system and a wired communication system are used in combination to provide various communication Services, so that various Services such as Location Based Services (LBS) can be provided to users. The mobile location based service may be activated by combining a satellite communication network and a communication network such as a mobile network. Satellite communications will become increasingly simple and feasible in many navigation systems. For example, navigation systems may assist users of mobile devices in finding a route from one location to another, typically through algorithms running in a map database. Map databases are essential for many ITS (intelligent transportation System) applications in navigation, traffic prediction, route planning.

Other drawbacks and disadvantages of the prior art will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following system of the present invention as described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Disclosure of Invention

A method and/or system for an active coverage map service, substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides a communication method, including:

transmitting a map request (map request) from a user equipment to a map service server (mapping service server) that provides a service to a plurality of users; and

receiving an enhanced map (enhanced map) from the map service server, wherein the map service server creates the enhanced map based on user activity information of the plurality of users in response to the map request.

Preferably, the map request includes user identification information.

Preferably, the method further comprises accessing the map service server based on the user identification information.

Preferably, the method further comprises determining a level of sharing the activity information of the user with the map service server.

Preferably, the method further comprises interacting with the map service server to provide activity information of the user at the determined level.

Preferably, the map request includes a geographic location (geographic location) of interest to the user.

Preferably, the map service server creates the enhanced map in relation to a geographical location of interest to the user based on the user activity information of the plurality of users.

Preferably, the map service server creates the enhanced map by associating the user activity information of the plurality of users with geographic locations of interest to the users.

Preferably, the map service server transmits the created enhanced map to the user device, the enhanced map being associated with a geographical location of interest to the user.

Preferably, the method further comprises presenting the enhanced map to a user of the user device through a user interface.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication system comprising:

one or more circuits for a user device, wherein the one or more circuits are configured to transmit a map request to a map service server that services a plurality of users; and

the one or more circuits are operable to receive an enhanced map (enhanced map) from the map service server, wherein the map service server creates the metadata (metadata) based on user activity information of the plurality of users in response to the map request.

Preferably, the map request includes user identification information.

Preferably, the one or more circuits are operable to access the map service server based on the user identification information.

Preferably, the one or more circuits are operable to determine a level of sharing of the user's activity information with the map service server.

Preferably, the one or more circuits are operable to interact with the map service server to provide activity information for the user at the determined level.

Preferably, the map request includes a geographic location (geographic location) of interest to the user.

Preferably, the map service server creates the enhanced map in relation to a geographical location of interest to the user based on user activity information of the plurality of users.

Preferably, the map service server creates the enhanced map by associating user activity information of the plurality of users with geographic locations of interest to the users.

Preferably, the map service server transmits the created enhanced map to the user device, the enhanced map being associated with a geographical location of interest to the user.

Preferably, the one or more circuits are operable to present the enhanced map to a user of the user device via a user interface.

Various advantages, aspects and novel features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of specific embodiments when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a diagram of an exemplary communication system for providing an active coverage mapping service (active coverage mapping service) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary map service server in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary active coverage sharing authentication process according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary activity data collection process according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary activity override-based metadata (metadata) generation flow, according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an exemplary user equipment in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating metadata acquisition based on activity coverage according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

The invention relates to a method and a system for an activity coverage map service. In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, a user device transmits a map request to a map service server that is communicatively coupled to a network that supports data communications. Upon receiving a map request from a user device, the map service server generates and/or creates metadata and/or enhanced maps based on user activity information; the user activity information, such as a cash amount for an electronic cash transaction (e-cash transaction) and a number of people using the electronic cash transaction, is collected from a plurality of user devices associated with the map service server. The created metadata and/or enhanced maps are transmitted by a network supporting data communication and received by a user device. The map request includes user identification information, such as an identification code that enables access to the map service server. The map service server is used to request sharing of corresponding user activity information such as transaction value (transaction value) of certain events occurring through the user device. The user device is operable to determine a level indicating a level at which a user of the user device wishes to share with the map service server. The user device is operable to communicate the determined user activity information sharing level to a map service server. The map service server interactively communicates with a plurality of related users to collect user activity information.

Suppose that a user device requests a map from a map service server, the map request including information defining a geographic location of interest to the user device. Upon receiving a map request, the map service server creates or generates metadata and/or enhanced maps related to a geographic location of interest based on the collected user activity information (received from a plurality of users associated with the map service server). Metadata and/or enhanced maps are created or generated by correlating the collected user activity information of the plurality of users with the geographic location of interest. The created metadata and/or enhanced map is transmitted to the user device through a network supporting data communication. Upon receiving the metadata and/or enhanced map, the user device displays or presents the received metadata and/or enhanced map to the user in a defined format.

Fig. 1 is a diagram of an exemplary communication system for providing an active coverage mapping service (active coverage mapping service) according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, the system shown includes a data communication architecture 110, a GNSS satellite architecture 120, a plurality of map service servers 130 (where a map service server 130a and a map service server 130b are shown), a plurality of users 140 (where a GNSS enabled notebook 140a, a smartphone 140b, a desktop computer 140c, and a Global Navigation Satellite Service (GNSS) enabled cell phone 140d are shown).

The data communication architecture 110 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry and/or code that may enable data communication between multiple communication devices. The data communication architecture 110 includes a wireless network 110a and/or a network 110 b. The wireless network 110a may comprise suitable logic, circuitry and/or code that may enable providing various wireless data services using specific technologies such as GSM, UMTS, WiFi, WiMAX or WLAN/LAN. The internet 110b may comprise suitable logic, apparatus, and/or code that may enable data communication using the Internet Protocol (IP).

The GNSS architecture 120 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry and/or code that may be operable to provide navigation information to a plurality of GNSS receivers. The GNSS receiver may be integrated within or coupled to a user device, such as a GNSS enabled notebook 140a and a GNSS enabled cellular phone 140 d.

The map service server 130 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, and/or code that may enable creation of metadata based on user activity coverage. The created metadata is added at the geographical location of interest on the map picture. The added information is related to the geographic location of interest on the picture, represents a variety of map services and is communicated to map service participants, such as the user 140. The map service server 130 is used to access users to collect user activity information such as the amount of electronic cash transactions (e-cash transactions) and the number of people using electronic cash. The collected user activity information indicates, for example, a popularity of a location and a certain merchandise purchased from the location. The map service server 130 is used to generate activity coverage based metadata by anonymously incorporating collected user activity information into the metadata. The map service server 130 is used to provide various map services using the generated activity coverage-based metadata, such as anonymous advertisements on enhanced maps accessible to various users. The map service server 130 is used to transmit overlay user activity information (overlay user activity information) in the metadata based on the activity overlay in various ways. For example, overlay user activity information in the activity overlay-based metadata is communicated to the user device in the form of picture data for the respective geographic location. Also, overlay user activity information in the activity overlay-based metadata may also be selectively communicated, for example using actual overlay user activity information or related icons (icons). In this regard, the map service server 130 allows the user to access details of certain types of overlay user activity information in the activity overlay-based metadata through related icons. The map service server 130 is used to deliver various map services, such as enhanced maps including overlaid user activity information, to participating users via the data communication infrastructure 110, such as the wireless network 110b and/or the internet 110 a.

The user 140 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, and/or code that may enable various data communications via the wireless network 110b and/or the internet 110 a. The user 140 acquires various map services through the shared map service server 130. The user 140 allows the map service server 130 to share corresponding user activity information in various levels (degrees). For example, the user device may be configured to record some or all transactions, and to share transactions related to some or all items (items) related to some or all of those transactions.

In operation, activity information of the user 140 is collected by the map service server 130 through the wireless network 120b and/or the internet 120 a. The map service server 130 is used to generate metadata for various map services, such as enhanced maps based on user activity coverage. Metadata or enhanced maps based on the coverage of the activity are communicated to a given user (such as the GNSS enabled cell phone 140d) in various ways, such as enhanced map pictures. In this regard, the activity coverage-based metadata is communicated to the GNSS enabled cell phone 140d via the data communication infrastructure 110.

The map service server 130 authenticates a given user to be able to access various map services provided by the map service server 130. At the same time, the map service server 130 is used to request participating users (such as user 140) to share corresponding campaign information that is anonymously incorporated into the metadata, forming, for example, anonymous advertisements that are accessible to multiple users. The user activity information sharing level (degree) or level (level) of a given user is determined by the given user. For example, the user has the ability to share all of the cash amounts of the transaction, not just a detailed description of the corresponding merchant.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary map service server in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 2, an exemplary map service server 200 is shown including a map service processor 202, an active coverage search engine 204, an active database 206, a map database 208, a user database 210, and a server memory 212.

The map service processor 202 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, and/or code that may enable control and/or data processing operations of the map service server 200. The map service processor 202 is used to collect user activity information and anonymously incorporate it into metadata. Metadata is added to the map picture in the geographic location of interest. The map service processor 202 is used to communicate the added information to a given user requesting the map service. The map service processor 202 manages and controls user-server authentication and/or user-server interaction based on information sharing for activity coverage.

The activity overlay search engine 204 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry and/or code that may enable overlaying user activity information into geographic locations of interest for map pictures associated with various map service requests. For example, the campaign coverage search engine 204 is used to identify facilities related to the campaign type, such as jewelry repair shops near the geographic location of interest. Depending on the mapping service requested by the user, such as the GNSS enabled cell phone 140d, the active coverage search engine 204 is operable to select search constraints (searching constraints) and generate a list of entries (list entries) associated with the geographic location of interest.

The search results provide a list of transactions that are relevant to the geographic location of interest. A portion of the activity database 206 is determined based on the selected search criteria. For example, one may want to find a movie theater near the current location or find a movie that attracts the eyes of many viewers. The active coverage search engine 204 is used to select search constraints such as movie theaters, trades to show movies (movies that are on out), and/or the number of people to trade. The activity overlay search engine 204 regenerates an output that includes a map picture showing nearby movie theaters in relation to a selected user activity constraint, such as a trade showing a movie. When the user activity information changes or a new request is received, the active overlay search engine 204 is updated.

The activity database 206 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, and/or code that may comprise details of user activity information, such as, for example, the user's electronic cash and/or credit card transactions, who is conducting payment transactions, when transactions occur, and what the goods are.

The map database 208 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, and/or code that may be operable to store map data, including, for example, coordinate data representation (coordinate data representation) of a map of a geographic area. Some details of facility features (such as hotels, restaurants, stores, or the like) associated with the geographic coordinates of each location are stored in the map database 208. The map database 208 is stored in RAM, ROM, low latency nonvolatile memory such as flash memory and/or other suitable electronic data storage capable of storing data and instructions.

The user database 210 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, and/or code that may enable storage of user information associated with the map service server 130. The user information includes user identifiers, user contexts (contexts), user service profiles (profiles), user device configuration information, phone numbers, and associated location area identifiers and zip codes. The location area identifier includes an IP address and a GNSS address associated with the user. The user database 210 is stored in RAM, ROM, low latency nonvolatile memory such as flash memory and/or other suitable electronic data storage capable of storing data and instructions.

The server memory 212 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, and/or code that may enable storage of data and/or other information that may be utilized by the map service processor 202. For example, the server memory 212 is used to store processed data generated by the map service processor 202. The server memory 212 stores executable instructions to process the collected user activity information, such as various algorithms for correlating the user activity information with geographic locations of interest. Some software, such as internet reading software, is stored in the memory 212 to communicate user activity information over the internet 120 a. The server memory 212 includes RAM, ROM, low latency nonvolatile memory such as flash memory and/or other suitable electronic data storage capable of storing data and instructions.

In operation, user activity information, such as transactions conducted by the user 140 and merchandise related to the transactions, is collected by the map service server 200 through the data communication infrastructure 110. The map service processor 202 is used to authenticate the user 140 to enable access to the map service server 200 to share relevant activity information and various map services at various levels or levels. User information such as user ID and user device configuration profile is stored in the user database 210. The map service processor 202 is used to communicate with the active coverage search engine 204 to provide various map services requested by the authorized user 140. The map service request transmitted by a given user to the map service server 200 defines the geographic location of interest in a map provided by the map database 208. The map service processor 202 transmits the received map service request to the active coverage search engine 204. The active coverage search engine 204 is operable to select one or more search constraints based on characteristics of a given map service request. Based on the selected search constraints, the activity overlay search engine 204 is operable to incorporate corresponding user activity information from the activity database 206 into the metadata to provide the user activity information to the geographic location of interest for a given service request. The map service processor 202 is used to communicate metadata on a map from the map database 208 to a given user.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary active coverage sharing authentication process according to an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 3, exemplary steps begin at step 302 with a user device 320 requesting access to a map service server 330. The request includes user information such as a user ID and/or a user address. In step 304, the map service server 330 verifies the received user information through, for example, various security checks. In step 306, the map service server 330 determines whether to approve or deny the received request for a question and communicates with the user device 320 to request sharing of activity information from the user device 320. In step 308, the user device 320 determines an activity sharing level. In step 310, the user device 320 transmits the determined user activity sharing level to the map service server 330. In step 312, the map service server 330 receives the user activity sharing level from the user device 320 and stores it in the user database 210. The exemplary step ends at step 314.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary activity data collection process according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 4, exemplary steps begin at step 402 by authenticating, for example, the user 140, the map service server 200 to share relevant user activity information at a particular level. In step 404, the map service server 200 receives user activity information via, for example, the Internet 110a and/or some user-server interaction communication. In step 406, the received user activity information is classified by activity type. In step 408, the categorized user activity information is stored in the activity database 206. The exemplary step ends at step 412.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary generation flow of metadata (metadata) based on activity overlays according to an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 5, exemplary steps begin at step 502 with the active coverage search engine 204 receiving user service request information via the map service processor 202. In step 504, the active coverage search engine 204 is operable to select a search constraint based on the received service request. In step 506, the activity overlay search engine 204 is used to filter activity data stored in the activity database 206 that is used to create metadata related to the received service request. In step 508, the activity coverage search engine 204 creates metadata by correlating the filtered user activity data with geographic locations of interest associated with the received service request. In step 510, the created metadata is transmitted to a map associated with the geographic location of interest. The exemplary step ends at step 512.

Fig. 6 is a block diagram of an exemplary user equipment in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 6, a user device 600 is shown including an optional GNSS receiver 602, a network interface 604, a processor 606, a memory 608, and a user interface 610.

The GNSS receiver 602 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry and/or code that may be operable to receive GNSS broadcast information and convert it to corresponding GNSS baseband signals. The corresponding GNSS baseband signals are then processed by processor 606 to determine location information of user device 600. Alternatively, the GNSS receiver 602 may be integrated into the user equipment 600. It is assumed that the user equipment 600 comprises a GNSS receiver 602. The GNSS receiver 602 is used to provide navigation information to the user equipment 600 to identify the associated geographic location. The GNSS receiver 602 may comprise a GPS, GALILEO and/or GLONASS receiver.

The network interface 604 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, and/or code that may enable transmission and/or reception of radio signals over a network, such as the data communication infrastructure 110. The network may be a wired and/or wireless network. In this regard, the transmitted wireless signals include user activity information transmitted from the user device 600 to the map service server 130 and/or metadata based on activity coverage transmitted from the map service server 130 to the user device 600.

The processor 606 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry and/or code that may enable processing of signals received from a supporting communication network and/or satellite signals from the GNSS satellite architecture 120. The processor 606 is configured to communicate with the map service server 130 to share relevant user activity information and/or to obtain a desired map service, including a transaction list provided by the map service server 130, which is implemented by the map service server 130 by overlaying the user activity information on the geographic location of interest indicated by the user device 600.

The user interface 608 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, and/or code that may enable servicing the user device 600 by registering user input and/or displaying retrieved map services to the user. The user interface 608 includes a microphone, speaker, keypad, display, touch screen, lights (light), voice recognition system, camera, and/or any other type of interface used by the user device 600.

The memory 610 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, and/or code that may enable storage of data and/or other information that may be used by the processor 606. The memory 610 is used to store information such as algorithms for controlling various operations of the user equipment 600. The memory 610 stores some executable instructions for running various services on the user equipment 600. Various user activity data shared with the map service server 130 is stored in the memory 610.

In operation, the user device 600 is able to access the map service server 130 through user information such as a user ID and a user context (context). The processor 606 is configured to process activity information of the user equipment 600 and share it with the map service server 130 at a determined level (degree). The user 600 obtains various activity coverage-based mapping services from the mapping service server 130 through the network interface 604. The processor 606 processes the received map service for display to the user via the user interface 608 in a format that is preferred by the user.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating metadata acquisition based on activity coverage according to an embodiment of the present invention. Exemplary steps begin in step 702 with a user device 320 accessing a map service server 330. The user device 320 requests a mapping service for the geographic location of interest. The geographic location of interest is indicated by all or part of address, name, zip code, or longitude (longitude) or latitude (latitude) information. Upon receiving a map service request from the user device 320, the map service server 330 selects a search constraint based on the requested characteristics and generates metadata that overlays the activity data in the activity database 206 to a geographic location of interest based on the selected search constraint, in step 704. In step 706, the generated metadata on the map relating to the geographical location of interest is communicated to the user device 320. Upon receiving the metadata, the user device 320, at step 708, displays the received metadata to the user in its preferred format via the user interface 608 and stores it in the memory 610. The exemplary steps end at step 710.

The invention provides a method and a system for an activity coverage map service. In accordance with various embodiments of the invention, a user (such as the GNSS enabled cell phone 140d of the system shown in FIG. 1) transmits a map request to a map service server (such as the map service server 130 a). Upon receiving a map request from the GNSS enabled cell phone 140d, the map service server 130a creates or generates metadata and/or enhanced maps based on user activity information, such as the amount of cash for an electronic cash transaction (e-cash transaction) and the number of people using the electronic cash transaction, collected from a plurality of user devices associated with the map service server 130 a. The created metadata and/or enhanced maps are transmitted by the data communication infrastructure and received by the GNSS enabled cell phone 140d via the network interface 604. As shown in fig. 3, the map request includes user identification information, such as an identification code that enables access to the map service server 130 a.

The map service server 130a is used to request sharing of corresponding user activity information, such as transaction value (transaction value) of certain events occurring on the GNSS enabled cell phone 140 d. The GNSS enabled cell phone 140d may be operable to determine a level indicating that a user of the GNSS enabled cell phone 140d desires to share with the map service server 130 a. The GNSS enabled cell phone 140d may be operable to communicate the determined user activity information sharing level to the map service server 130 a. The map service server 130a interactively communicates with the relevant plurality of users to gather user activity information. As shown in FIG. 7, the GNSS enabled cell phone 140d may request a map from the map service server 130 a. The geographic location of interest of the GNSS enabled cell phone 140d is included in the map request. Upon receiving the map request, the map service server 130a generates or creates metadata and/or enhanced maps related to the geographic location of interest based on the collected user activity information for the plurality of users related to the map service server 130 a. Metadata and/or enhanced maps are created by associating collected user activity information of a plurality of users with a geographic location of interest. The created metadata and/or enhanced map is communicated to the GNSS enabled cell phone 140d via the data communication infrastructure 110. Upon receiving the metadata or related maps, the GNSS enabled cell phone 140d may display the corresponding location information to the user via the user interface 608 in a format preferred by the user.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a machine and/or computer readable storage and/or medium having stored thereon a machine code and/or a computer program having at least one code section executable by a machine and/or a computer to enable the machine and/or computer to perform the steps of the activity coverage map service described herein.

In general, the invention can be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof. The present invention can be realized in an integrated manner in at least one computer system or in a separate manner by placing different components in a plurality of interconnected computer systems. Any kind of computer system or other apparatus adapted for carrying out the methods described herein is suited. A typical combination of hardware, software, and firmware may be a specialized computer system with a computer program that, when being loaded and executed, controls the computer system such that it carries out the methods described herein.

The present invention can also be implemented by a computer program product, which comprises all the features enabling the implementation of the methods of the invention and which, when loaded in a computer system, is able to carry out these methods. The computer program in the present document refers to: any expression, in any programming language, code or notation, of a set of instructions intended to cause a system having an information processing capability to perform a particular function either directly or after either or both of the following a) conversion to another language, code or notation; b) reproduced in different formats to implement specific functions.

While the invention has been described with reference to certain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (17)

1. A method of communication, comprising:

transmitting an access request from a user device to a map service server, the access request including user information of a user associated with the user device;

receiving a request to share activity from the map service server, the request to share activity transmitted by the map service server in response to the access request;

transmitting, in response to the received request to share activity, a level of sharing activity of the user device determined by the user associated with the user device;

transmitting a map request from the user device to the map service server serving a plurality of users; and

receiving, by the user device, an enhanced map from the map service server, wherein the map service server creates the enhanced map and metadata in response to the map request based on user activity information of the plurality of users, the user activity information being consolidated from the plurality of users according to levels of respective shared activities of the plurality of users, the levels of shared activities including the transmitted level of shared activity of the user device.

2. The communication method according to claim 1, wherein the map request includes user identification information.

3. The communication method according to claim 2, comprising accessing the map service server based on the user identification information.

4. The communication method according to claim 1, comprising determining a level of sharing the activity information of the user with the map service server.

5. The communication method according to claim 1, comprising interacting with the map service server to provide the activity information of the user at the determined level of shared activity information.

6. The communication method of claim 1, wherein the map request includes a geographic location of interest to the user.

7. The communication method according to claim 1, wherein the map service server creates the enhanced map by associating user activity information of the plurality of users with a geographic location of interest to the user.

8. The communication method of claim 1, the map service server transmitting the created enhanced map to the user device, the enhanced map relating to a geographic location of interest to the user.

9. The communication method of claim 1, comprising presenting the enhanced map to a user of the user device through a user interface.

10. A communication system, comprising:

one or more circuits for a user equipment, wherein the one or more circuits are to:

transmitting an access request from a user device to a map service server, the access request including user information of a user associated with the user device;

receiving a request to share activity from the map service server, the request to share activity transmitted by the map service server in response to the access request;

transmitting, in response to the received request to share activity, a level of sharing activity of the user device determined by the user associated with the user device;

transmitting a map request from the user device to a map service server serving a plurality of users; and

the one or more circuits are also configured to receive an enhanced map from the map service server, wherein the map service server creates an enhanced map in response to the map request based on user activity information of the plurality of users, the user activity information being consolidated from the plurality of users according to respective levels of shared activity information of the plurality of users, the levels of shared activity including the transmitted level of shared activity of the user device.

11. The communication system of claim 10, wherein the map request includes user identification information.

12. The communication system according to claim 11, wherein the one or more circuits enable access to the map service server based on the user identification information.

13. The communication system according to claim 10, wherein the one or more circuits are operable to determine a level of sharing of the user's activity information with the map service server.

14. The communication system according to claim 10, wherein said one or more circuits are operable to interact with said service server to provide activity information of said user at said determined level.

15. The communication system of claim 10, wherein the map service server creates the enhanced map by associating the user activity information of the plurality of users with a geographic location of interest to the user.

16. The communication system of claim 10, wherein the map service server transmits the created enhanced map to the user device, the enhanced map relating to a geographic location of interest to the user.

17. The communication method of claim 15, wherein the one or more circuits present the enhanced map to a user of the user device through a user interface.