Method and apparatus for displaying real-time visual information on an automobile pervasive computing client

A display method operative in an in-vehicle pervasive computing client having a graphical display, comprising the steps of:

• displaying a map on the graphical display;
• plotting a vehicle's current position on the map;
• and
• as the vehicle's current position approaches a given position relative to a physical landmark, selectively retrieving an image of the landmark, the image showing real-time conditions;
• and
• displaying the image.

In a pervasive computing client device having a graphical display and a browser, the improvement comprising:

• displaying a map on the graphical display;
• plotting a user's current position on the map;
• and
• as the user's current position approaches a given physical landmark, displaying a photographic image of the landmark in the browser, the photographic image showing real-time conditions.

A pervasive computing client, comprising:

• a processor;
• a graphical display;
• means for displaying a map on the graphical display;
• means for plotting a user's current position on the map;
• and
• means responsive to the user's current position approaching a given physical landmark for displaying an image of the landmark, the image showing real-time conditions.

A computer program product in a computer-readable medium for use in a pervasive computing client device having a graphical display, comprising:

• means for displaying a map on the graphical display;
• means for plotting a user's current position on the map;
• and
• means responsive to the user's current position approaching a given physical landmark for retrieving and displaying an actual image of the landmark, the image showing real-time conditions.