Method and apparatus of marking objects in images displayed on a portable unit

Abstract

Each interesting location on a screen of a portable unit is marked by a transparent flag or marker. Then, when the user scales up (magnifies the image) the map to view one of the locations, transparent arrows are placed on the screen identified with transparent location markers indicating the direction the user needs to move to arrive at the remaining locations marked earlier by markers. Either the portable unit can be moved while the map remains stationary or the device remains stationary while the map is moved by the touch screen. By following each transparent arrow, which constantly calculates the new direction as the view of the map changes, the user arrives at the desired location, often in a shortest distance, without getting lost. Once this location is viewed, the user can then proceed to follow a second transparent arrow corresponding to a second desired location. This can be done for each marked location without changing the scale or entering new search data terms since all transparent arrows (markers) can be shown on the screen. An option can exist where the user moves to the marked location immediately by issuing a verbal or physical command.