Apple has been granted a patent (number 11,397,094) for “user feedback interfaces for map location entry points.” It involves the company’s Maps apps on its various devices.
About the patent
In the patent Apple notes that many mobile devices provide users with the ability to view virtual maps. These maps may present detailed views for real-world locations, such as roads, buildings, and natural features. Presenting the virtual maps may require stored map data.
Over time, the real world may change, and the users may find that the map data may no longer accurately represent the real world. Apple wants to change this with its Maps app by having it offer the ability for users to send updates to entry point data for updating entry points to a location.
Summary of the patent
Here’s Apple’s abstract of the patent: “A computing device can present a map user interface for users to suggest updates to entry point data for a place, such as points of interest to the user. For an entry point, the computing device can present an entry point indicator that remains in a fixed position on a map view.
“The user may move the map view as the entry point indicator remains fixed. In response to inputs, the computing device can adjust the map view, so that the fixed entry point indicator lies in a new position relative to the point of interest. The computing device can also insert an entry point indicator on the map view. In response to user inputs, the computing device can associate a location of the inserted entry point indicator with the location of an entry point. The computing device can send the entry point data changes to a server for implementation.”
