GPS/Cell phone patent issue

[joerg]

>
> Hmm... The patent purports to cover getting *any* information based on
> where you are, including maps. So unless all the map information or
> whatever information you need can fit on your phone you are not
> interested in it? I guess you better wait for some *really* big flash
> memory chips. :)
The maps ARE "on board" for all common GPS car navis ("really big" 256MB-flash 
card e.g.). When i need to download e.g. a new country, because traveling 
from Germany to Spain, this info isn't based on sending my actual 
GPS-position to a database. So their "patent" is not applicable anyway. 
The so called "off board" solutions, where you have to pay for each route or a 
monthly fee, night be affected, but i don't mind. It's the provider who has 
to pay in this case.

j